Abstract: A hybrid power generation system in one embodiment comprises a green boiler containing a thermal mass composition operable to store thermal energy, a solar energy collection system which absorbs solar energy to heat a first working fluid and in turn the thermal mass composition, and a power generation system comprising a steam turbine coupled to an electric generator to produce electricity and a nuclear steam supply system which convert a second working fluid comprising water from liquid to steam. Steam output by the nuclear steam supply system flows through the green boiler and is heated by absorbing heat from the thermal mass composition to increase the enthalpy of the steam and concomitantly electric power output from the turbine-generator. The nuclear steam supply system and green boiler may be retrofit to replace existing fossil fuel steam generation systems while retaining the energy conversion part of the fossil power plant.

Abstract: A power generation system and related method for repowering a fossil-fueled power plant using a carbon-free nuclear steam supply system (NSSS) which replaces the existing fossil plant steam generator which burns fossil fuel such as coal, oil, or natural gas. The existing fossil plant energy conversion system including the turbine-generator (turbogenerator) and auxiliary components of the Rankine cycle is retained. The NSSS may include a small modular reactor (SMR) unit comprising a reactor vessel with nuclear fuel core and steam generator which receives heated primary coolant from the reactor to produce main steam to operate the Rankine cycle. The main steam output by the SMR unit is compressed in a steam compressor to increase its pressure to a level necessary to operate the turbogenerator. The compressor may be operated via a portion of the main steam. An intercooler of the compressor may be used for main steam reheating.

Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a thermal energy storage vessel containing a thermal mass composition operable to store thermal energy, solar energy collection system, and power generation system. The collection system comprises a first closed flow loop including a solar collector which absorbs solar energy and heats a first working fluid. The heated first working fluid recirculates through a first closed flow loop through and heats the thermal mass composition. The generation system comprises a second closed flow loop including a turbine-generator. The second closed flow loop recirculates a second working fluid through the thermal mass composition to absorb thermal energy and heat the second working fluid which flows to the turbine and the generator produces electricity. The second working fluid may be water/steam or a compressible gas. The thermal mass composition comprises a mixture of a phase change material such as salt and a metallic material.

Abstract: Portable nuclear fuel cartridge comprising a unitary support structure and plurality of nuclear fuel assemblies that collectively form a nuclear fuel core. Control rod drive system for a nuclear reactor. A nuclear steam supply system having a shutdown system for removing residual decay heat generated by a nuclear fuel core. A nuclear reactor including a cylindrical body having an internal cavity, nuclear fuel core, and a shroud disposed in the cavity. A nuclear reactor cooling system with passive cooling capabilities operable during a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) without available electric power.

Abstract: A neutron absorbing insert for use in a fuel rack. In one aspect, the insert includes: a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall; the first and second walls being formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement that is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed into the single panel along the crease prior to bending.

Abstract: A vertical bundle air-cooled heat exchanger, a finned tube assembly for an air cooled condenser and method for forming the same, and a system for removing thermal energy generated by radioactive materials. In one aspect, an air cooled condenser sized for industrial and commercial application includes an inlet steam distribution header for conveying steam, a condensate outlet header for conveying condensate, an array of tube bundles each having a plurality of finned tube assemblies having a bare steel tube with an exposed outer surface and a set of aluminum fins brazed directly onto the tube by a brazing filler metal. The steel tubes may be spaced apart by the aluminum fins and have an inlet end fluidly coupled to the inlet steam distribution header and an outlet end fluidly coupled to the outlet header. A forced draft fan may be arranged to blow air through the tube bundles.

Abstract: A neutron absorbing insert for use in a fuel rack. In one aspect, the insert includes: a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall; the first and second walls being formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement that is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed into the single panel along the crease prior to bending.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system includes one or more containment vessel comprising an internal cavity containing a bed of phase change material (PCM) operable to store thermal energy, an array of heaters embedded in the molten phase change material, and a tube bundle. The heaters are electrically coupled to an electric power source and operable to heat and melt the PCM to a molten state. The tube bundle comprises heat exchanger tubes embedded in the molten PCM and configured to convey a working fluid (e.g., water or other) through a tube-side of the tubes. The tubes may be arranged in plural individual tube cartridge each insertable and removable from the vessel. In operation, the working fluid is heated by absorbing stored thermal energy from the molten phase change material. The PCM may be heated by power extracted from the power grid during off-peak demand periods.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor support system that, in one embodiment, includes a reactor vessel, a reactor core disposed within the reactor vessel, an upper portion of the reactor vessel located above a ground plane and a lower portion of the reactor vessel located below the ground plane. The support system further includes a first flange fixedly attached to the upper portion of the reactor vessel and contacting the ground plane, the first flange supporting the reactor vessel, a second flange fixedly attached to the upper portion of the reactor vessel above the ground plane, the second flange spaced vertically apart from the first flange, and a plurality of welded lugs extending vertically between the first and second flanges. The first flange supports the entire weight of the reactor vessel in a cantilevered manner.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor in one embodiment includes a cylindrical body having an internal cavity, a nuclear fuel core, and a shroud disposed in the cavity. The shroud comprises an inner shell, an outer shell, and a plurality of intermediate shells disposed between the inner and outer shells. Pluralities of annular cavities are formed between the inner and outer shells which are filled with primary coolant such as demineralized water. The coolant-filled annular cavities may be sealed at the top and bottom and provide an insulating effect to the shroud. In one embodiment, the shroud may comprise a plurality of vertically-stacked self-supported shroud segments which are coupled together.

Abstract: A neutron absorbing insert for use in a fuel rack. In one aspect, the insert includes: a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall; the first and second walls being formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement that is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; and a plurality of spaced-apart holes formed into the single panel along the crease prior to bending.

Abstract: Portable nuclear fuel cartridge comprising a unitary support structure and plurality of nuclear fuel assemblies that collectively form a nuclear fuel core. Control rod drive system for a nuclear reactor. A nuclear steam supply system having a shutdown system for removing residual decay heat generated by a nuclear fuel core. A nuclear reactor including a cylindrical body having an internal cavity, nuclear fuel core, and a shroud disposed in the cavity. A nuclear reactor cooling system with passive cooling capabilities operable during a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) without available electric power.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor system that, in one embodiment, utilizes natural circulation to circulate a primary coolant in a single-phase through a reactor core and a heat exchange sub-system. The heat exchange sub-system is located outside of the nuclear reactor pressure vessels and, in some embodiments, is designed so as to not cause any substantial pressure drop in the flow of the primary coolant within the heat exchange sub-system that is used to vaporize a secondary coolant. In another embodiment, a nuclear reactor system is disclosed in which the reactor core is located below ground and all penetrations into the reactor pressure vessel are located above ground.

Abstract: A vertical bundle air-cooled heat exchanger, a finned tube assembly for an air cooled condenser and method for forming the same, and a system for removing thermal energy generated by radioactive materials. In one aspect, an air cooled condenser sized for industrial and commercial application includes an inlet steam distribution header for conveying steam, a condensate outlet header for conveying condensate, an array of tube bundles each having a plurality of finned tube assemblies having a bare steel tube with an exposed outer surface and a set of aluminum fins brazed directly onto the tube by a brazing filler metal. The steel tubes may be spaced apart by the aluminum fins and have an inlet end fluidly coupled to the inlet steam distribution header and an outlet end fluidly coupled to the outlet header. A forced draft fan may be arranged to blow air through the tube bundles.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor system that, in one embodiment, utilizes natural circulation to circulate a primary coolant in a single-phase through a reactor core and a heat exchange sub-system. The heat exchange subsystem is located outside of the nuclear reactor pressure vessels and, in some embodiments, is designed so as to not cause any substantial pressure drop in the flow of the primary coolant within the heat exchange sub-system that is used to vaporize a secondary coolant. In another embodiment, a nuclear reactor system is disclosed in which the reactor core is located below ground and all penetrations into the reactor pressure vessel are located above ground.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor in one embodiment includes a cylindrical body having an internal cavity, a nuclear fuel core, and a shroud disposed in the cavity. The shroud comprises an inner shell, an outer shell, and a plurality of intermediate shells disposed between the inner and outer shells. Pluralities of annular cavities are formed between the inner and outer shells which are filled with primary coolant such as demineralized water. The coolant-filled annular cavities may be sealed at the top and bottom and provide an insulating effect to the shroud. In one embodiment, the shroud may comprise a plurality of vertically-stacked self-supported shroud segments which are coupled together.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor in one embodiment includes a cylindrical body having an internal cavity, a nuclear fuel core, and a shroud disposed in the cavity. The shroud comprises an inner shell, an outer shell, and a plurality of intermediate shells disposed between the inner and outer shells. Pluralities of annular cavities are formed between the inner and outer shells which are filled with primary coolant such as demineralized water. The coolant-filled annular cavities may be sealed at the top and bottom and provide an insulating effect to the shroud. In one embodiment, the shroud may comprise a plurality of vertically-stacked self-supported shroud segments which are coupled together.

Abstract: An autonomous self-powered system for cooling radioactive materials comprising: a pool of liquid; a closed-loop fluid circuit comprising a working fluid having a boiling temperature that is less than a boiling temperature of the liquid of the pool, the closed-loop fluid circuit comprising, in operable fluid coupling, an evaporative heat exchanger at least partially immersed in the liquid of the pool, a turbogenerator, and a condenser; one or more forced flow units operably coupled to the closed-loop fluid circuit to induce flow of the working fluid through the closed-loop fluid circuit; and the closed-loop fluid circuit converting thermal energy extracted from the liquid of the pool into electrical energy in accordance with the Rankine Cycle, the electrical energy powering the one or more forced flow units.

Abstract: An autonomous self-powered system for cooling radioactive materials comprising: a pool of liquid; a closed-loop fluid circuit comprising a working fluid having a boiling temperature that is less than a boiling temperature of the liquid of the pool, the closed-loop fluid circuit comprising, in operable fluid coupling, an evaporative heat exchanger at least partially immersed in the liquid of the pool, a turbogenerator, and a condenser; one or more forced flow units operably coupled to the closed-loop fluid circuit to induce flow of the working fluid through the closed-loop fluid circuit; and the closed-loop fluid circuit converting thermal energy extracted from the liquid of the pool into electrical energy in accordance with the Rankine Cycle, the electrical energy powering the one or more forced flow units.

Abstract: A vertical bundle air-cooled heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the invention can be a vertical bundle air-cooled condenser comprising: at least one tube bundle assembly comprising: a tube bundle comprising a plurality of finned tubes arranged in a substantially vertical and side-by-side orientation, each of the plurality of finned tubes comprising a cavity; a top header pipe comprising an inlet header cavity operably coupled to a source of steam; a bottom header pipe comprising an outlet header cavity for collecting condensate; top ends of the plurality of finned tubes coupled to the top header pipe and the bottom ends of the plurality of finned tubes coupled to the bottom header pipe; and a shell having an open top end and open bottom end, the at least one tube bundle assembly positioned within the shell.