Patents Assigned to TerraPower, LLC.
  • Patent number: 12152198
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods for improving mesophase pitch for carbon fiber production using supercritical carbon dioxide are described. The methods improve the relative amount and quality of mesophase pitch in feedstocks, such as coal tar, already having at least some mesophase pitch. One particular method includes performing a sCO2/toluene extraction on the coal tar to obtain a toluene insoluble fraction of the coal tar; mixing the toluene insoluble fraction with sCO2 to obtain a sCO2/toluene insoluble fraction mixture; and extruding the sCO2/toluene insoluble fraction mixture, thereby separating the sCO2 from the toluene insoluble fraction to obtain fibers of mesophase pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Goodrich, Pyoungchung Kim, Matthew Targett, Joshua C. Walter
  • Patent number: 12154697
    Abstract: An anti-proliferation technique is disclosed to reduce the likelihood of nuclear proliferation due to the use fissionable fuel salts. The technique includes doping the fuel salt with one or more elements (referred to herein as activation dopants) that, upon exposure to neutrons such as would occur in the fuel salt when a reactor is in operation, undergo a nuclear reaction to, directly or indirectly, form highly active “protecting isotopes” (of the same element as the activation dopant or a different element). A sufficient mass of activation dopants is used so that the Figure of Merit (FOM) of the fuel salt is decreased to below 1.0 within some target number of days of fission. This allows the FOM of the fuel salt to be controlled so that the fuel becomes too dangerous to handle before to the creation of a significant amount of weaponizable isotopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, Brian C. Kelleher, William M. Kerlin, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter
  • Patent number: 12073951
    Abstract: A vaporizer includes an outer tube configured to receive a flow of heated gas and an inner tube disposed at least partially within the outer tube. The inner tube is spaced apart from the outer tube such that the flow of heated gas is channeled through an annular space therebetween. The vaporizer also includes a crucible disposed at least partially within the inner tube. The crucible is extendable and retractable relative to the inner tube and within the outer tube. The crucible is configured to hold a molten metal such that a surface area of the molten metal exposed to the flow of heated gas is adjustable based on the position of the crucible relative to the inner tube. A heater is configured to vaporize the molten material and the vapor mixes with the flow of heated gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Regan, Jacob Wilcox
  • Patent number: 12002596
    Abstract: Targetry coupled separation refers to enhancing the production of a predetermined radiation product through the selection of a target (including selection of the target material and the material's physical structure) and separation chemistry in order to optimize the recovery of the predetermined radiation product. This disclosure describes systems and methods for creating (through irradiation) and removing one or more desired radioisotopes from a target and further describes systems and methods that allow the same target to undergo multiple irradiations and separation operations without damage to the target. In contrast with the prior art that requires complete dissolution or destruction of a target before recovery of any irradiation products, the repeated reuse of the same physical target allowed by targetry coupled separation represents a significant increase in efficiency and decrease in cost over the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ken Czerwinski, Joshua C. Walter, Christopher P. Dunckley
  • Patent number: 11881320
    Abstract: A molten fuel reactor includes a reactor core having substantially a right-circular cylinder shape with a longitudinal axis. At least one inlet is configured to channel fuel salt into the reactor core. At least one outlet is configured to channel fuel salt out of the reactor core, and the inlet and outlet at least partially define a flow loop of fuel salt with respect to the reactor core. An orifice ring plate is disposed within the reactor core and proximate the at least one inlet. The orifice ring plate is configured to condition a flow of fuel salt entering the reactor core from the at least one inlet. The orifice ring plate extends circumferentially about the longitudinal axis and has a height defined in a direction along the longitudinal axis. The orifice ring plate includes a plurality of apertures configured to allow the flow of fuel salt therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventor: Kent E. Wardle
  • Patent number: 11842819
    Abstract: A method for replacing a cesium trap includes freezing the cesium trap which partially contains cesium and is located within a shielded cell and. The cesium trap is then decoupled and removed from the shielded cell. A second cesium trap is inserted into the shielded cell and attached to the shielded cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Corbin, John E. Truax
  • Patent number: 11837374
    Abstract: Methods and systems for stabilizing spent fuel assemblies from sodium-cooled nuclear reactors using Zamak are described herein. It has been determined that there is a synergism between Zamak and sodium that allows Zamak to form thermally-conductive interface with the sodium-wetted surfaces of the fuel assemblies. In the method, one or more spent fuel assemblies are removed from the sodium coolant pool and placed in a protective sheath. The remaining volume of the sheath is then filled with liquid Zamak. To a certain extent Zamak will dissolve and alloy with sodium remaining on the fuel assemblies. Excess sodium that remains undissolved is displaced from the sheath by the Zamak fill. The Zamak is then cooled until solid and the sheath sealed. The resulting Zamak-stabilized spent fuel assembly is calculated to have sufficient internal thermal conductivity to allow it to be stored and transported without the need for liquid cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Corbin, Pavel Hejzlar, John E. Truax, Mark R. Werner
  • Patent number: 11798694
    Abstract: A molten fuel salt nuclear reactor core assembly including a fluid neutron reflecting material defining a fast spectrum fuel volume configured to breed fissile fuel from fertile fuel, a first inlet channel, and a first outlet channel through which cooled molten fuel salt can enter and heated molten fuel salt can exit the fast spectrum fuel volume. The core assembly also includes a set of neutron absorbing members sized to fit within the fast spectrum fuel volume. The set of neutron absorbing members define a thermal spectrum fuel volume for a fission reaction of the fissile fuel, a second inlet channel, and a second outlet channel through which cooled molten fuel salt can enter and heated molten fuel salt can exit the thermal spectrum fuel volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Charles Gregory Freeman, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski
  • Patent number: 11791057
    Abstract: A reflector assembly for a molten chloride fast reactor (MCFR) includes a support structure with a substantially cylindrical base plate, a substantially cylindrical top plate, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs extending between the base plate and the top plate. The support structure is configured to encapsulate a reactor core for containing nuclear fuel. The MCFR also includes a plurality of tube members disposed within the support structure and extending axially between the top plate and the bottom plate. The plurality of tube members are configured to hold at least one reflector material to reflect fission born neutrons back to a center of the reactor core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Charles Gregory Freeman, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski
  • Patent number: 11725146
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods for improving mesophase pitch for carbon fiber production using supercritical carbon dioxide are described. The methods improve the relative amount and quality of mesophase pitch in feedstocks, such as coal tar, already having at least some mesophase pitch. One particular method includes performing a sCO2/toluene extraction on the coal tar to obtain a toluene insoluble fraction of the coal tar; mixing the toluene insoluble fraction with sCO2 to obtain a sCO2/toluene insoluble fraction mixture; and extruding the sCO2/toluene insoluble fraction mixture, thereby separating the sCO2 from the toluene insoluble fraction to obtain fibers of mesophase pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Goodrich, Pyoungchung Kim, Matthew Targett, Joshua C. Walter
  • Publication number: 20230223161
    Abstract: A vaporizer includes an outer tube configured to receive a flow of heated gas and an inner tube disposed at least partially within the outer tube. The inner tube is spaced apart from the outer tube such that the flow of heated gas is channeled through an annular space therebetween. The vaporizer also includes a crucible disposed at least partially within the inner tube. The crucible is extendable and retractable relative to the inner tube and within the outer tube. The crucible is configured to hold a molten metal such that a surface area of the molten metal exposed to the flow of heated gas is adjustable based on the position of the crucible relative to the inner tube. A heater is configured to vaporize the molten material and the vapor mixes with the flow of heated gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Regan, Jacob Wilcox
  • Patent number: 11626213
    Abstract: A vaporizer includes an outer tube configured to receive a flow of heated gas and an inner tube disposed at least partially within the outer tube. The inner tube is spaced apart from the outer tube such that the flow of heated gas is channeled through an annular space therebetween. The vaporizer also includes a crucible disposed at least partially within the inner tube. The crucible is extendable and retractable relative to the inner tube and within the outer tube. The crucible is configured to hold a molten metal such that a surface area of the molten metal exposed to the flow of heated gas is adjustable based on the position of the crucible relative to the inner tube. A heater is configured to vaporize the molten material and the vapor mixes with the flow of heated gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Regan, Jacob Wilcox
  • Patent number: 11542437
    Abstract: The thermochemical conversion of biomass material to one or more reaction products includes generating thermal energy with at least one heat source, providing a volume of feedstock, providing a volume of supercritical fluid, transferring a portion of the generated thermal energy to the volume of supercritical fluid, transferring at least a portion of the generated thermal energy from the volume of supercritical fluid to the volume of feedstock, and performing a thermal decomposition process on the volume of feedstock with the thermal energy transferred from the volume of supercritical fluid to the volume of the feedstock in order to form at least one reaction product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Manuel Garcia-Perez, Joshua C. Walter
  • Patent number: 11488731
    Abstract: This disclosure describes various configurations and components of a molten fuel fast or thermal nuclear reactor for managing the operating temperature in the reactor core. The disclosure includes various configurations of direct reactor auxiliary cooling system (DRACS) heat exchangers and primary heat exchangers as well as descriptions of improved flow paths for nuclear fuel, primary coolant and DRACS coolant through the reactor components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Abbott, Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Daniel Flowers, Charles Gregory Freeman, Mark A. Havstad, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Jon D. McWhirter, John R. Suyes, III
  • Publication number: 20220310281
    Abstract: Targetry coupled separation refers to enhancing the production of a predetermined radiation product through the selection of a target (including selection of the target material and the material's physical structure) and separation chemistry in order to optimize the recovery of the predetermined radiation product. This disclosure describes systems and methods for creating (through irradiation) and removing one or more desired radioisotopes from a target and further describes systems and methods that allow the same target to undergo multiple irradiations and separation operations without damage to the target. In contrast with the prior art that requires complete dissolution or destruction of a target before recovery of any irradiation products, the repeated reuse of the same physical target allowed by targetry coupled separation represents a significant increase in efficiency and decrease in cost over the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ken Czerwinski, Joshua C. Walter, Christopher P. Dunckley
  • Patent number: 11434429
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods for improving mesophase pitch for carbon fiber production using supercritical carbon dioxide are described. The methods improve the relative amount and quality of mesophase pitch in feedstocks, such as coal tar, already having at least some mesophase pitch. One particular method includes performing a sCO2/toluene extraction on the coal tar to obtain a toluene insoluble fraction of the coal tar; mixing the toluene insoluble fraction with sCO2 to obtain a sCO2/toluene insoluble fraction mixture; and extruding the sCO2/toluene insoluble fraction mixture, thereby separating the sCO2 from the toluene insoluble fraction to obtain fibers of mesophase pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Goodrich, Pyoungchung Kim, Matthew Targett, Joshua C. Walter
  • Patent number: 11421169
    Abstract: This document describes methods for pretreating coal to create either a dried coal or a char product that is stable in the outdoor environment and is more efficient as a feedstock for gasification or other processes than the original coal. Embodiments of the methods include pulverizing and pelletizing the coal, and pretreating the coal pellets to obtain a stable pellet of either dried coal or a stable pellet of chared coal (coal char). The pellets created by the described methods have undergone deoxygenation and carbonization improving their handling and storage properties and, in some cases, energy density. Pore structures within the pellets are stabilized physically and chemically so that the uptake of moisture into dry coal, that leads to internal heat generation, is greatly reduced. Chars are also, therefore, stable against transitions from a dry state to a wet state and less prone to self-ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Goodrich, Pyoungchung Kim, Evan Terrell, Joshua C. Walter
  • Patent number: 11373765
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for synthesizing UCl3 from UCl4. These systems and methods may also be used to directly synthesize binary and ternary embodiments of uranium salts of chloride usable as nuclear fuel in certain molten salt reactor designs. The systems and methods described herein are capable of synthesizing any desired uranium chloride fuel salt that is a combination of UCl4, UCl3 and one or more non-fissile chloride compounds, such as NaCl. In particular, the systems and methods described herein are capable of synthesizing any UCl3—UCl4—NaCl or UCl3—NaCl fuel salt composition from UCl4—NaCl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, William M. Kerlin, Aaron J. Unger
  • Patent number: 11367536
    Abstract: Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that allow for active cooling of the containment vessel of the reactor by the primary coolant. Furthermore, naturally circulating reactor configurations are described in which the reactor cores are substantially frustum-shaped so that the thermal center of the reactor core is below the outlet of the primary heat exchangers. Heat exchanger configurations are described in which welded components are distanced from the reactor core to reduce the damage caused by neutron flux from the reactor. Radial loop reactor configurations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Abbott, Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Daniel Flowers, Charles Gregory Freeman, Mark A. Havstad, Christopher J. Johns, Brian C. Kelleher, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Jon D. McWhirter
  • Patent number: 11276503
    Abstract: An anti-proliferation technique is disclosed to reduce the likelihood of nuclear proliferation due to the use fissionable fuel salts. The technique includes doping the fuel salt with one or more elements (referred to herein as activation dopants) that, upon exposure to neutrons such as would occur in the fuel salt when a reactor is in operation, undergo a nuclear reaction to, directly or indirectly, form highly active “protecting isotopes” (of the same element as the activation dopant or a different element). A sufficient mass of activation dopants is used so that the Figure of Merit (FOM) of the fuel salt is decreased to below 1.0 within some target number of days of fission. This allows the FOM of the fuel salt to be controlled so that the fuel becomes too dangerous to handle before to the creation of a significant amount of weaponizable isotopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr., Ken Czerwinski, Bassem S. El-Dasher, Brian C. Kelleher, William M. Kerlin, Kevin Kramer, Jeffery F. Latkowski, Robert C. Petroski, Joshua C. Walter