Abstract: A leak detection system includes a leak detection apparatus. The leak detection apparatus includes an electrode mesh and an insulative layer associated with the electrode mesh. The insulative layer is engageable with a conducting fluid containing component. The electrode mesh is configured to output an electric signal responsive to a conducting fluid reaching the electrode mesh through the insulative layer. The leak detection apparatus further includes a computing device configured to receive said electrical signal and associate said electrical signal with a leak event by correlating said electrical signal with a baseline electrical output of the electrode mesh.

Abstract: A secure system for sending and receiving remote signals that control semiautonomous critical systems and infrastructure. The secure system includes a plurality of independent operator stations to provide command signals to the remote critical systems and infrastructure by means of wired and/or wireless communications. Decoupling of the secure system from raw signals is performed by a data broker that serves to check for time-dependent and signal-dependent corroboration between the raw signals and then provide limited-scope instructions to the secure system controller. Further security is afforded to the secure system through encryption of the incoming command signals, convoluting the encrypted command signals within data structures, and padding with erroneous information with the implementation of a synthesized command signal that renders successfully decrypted and deconvoluted command signals neither readable by humans or machines.

Abstract: An instrumented blanket includes an insulative material and a temperature control structure integrated with the insulative material. The heating structure is configured to produce a heat or a cooling output in response to an input signal. The temperature-control blanket further includes an optical sensor including an optical fiber integrated with the insulative material along the heating structure. The optical sensor is configured to detect a change in an optical property measured from a plurality of intervals along a length of the optical fiber. The change in the optical property is indicative of a temperature of the temperature-control blanket at a respective interval of the plurality of intervals.

Abstract: An integral molten salt nuclear reactor includes a drain tank section configured to hold a volume of fuel salt. The integral molten salt nuclear reactor further includes a reactor section configured to receive the volume of fuel salt from the drain tank and cause fission reactions that heats the molten salt. The integral molten salt nuclear reactor further includes a heat exchange section configured to receive a flow of the heated fuel salt from the reactor section and remove heat therefrom.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating nuclear instrumentation of a reactor is disclosed. The system comprises a reactor configured to operate at a low power level and an external heater configured to heat the reactor to its operating temperature and maintain the reactor in a critical state. The reactor maintains its temperature at a steady state by repeating steps of reducing the heater's power and increasing the reactor's power by changing one or more reactivity settings, wherein the reduced heater's power is compensated by using the increased power generated by the reactor itself. The nuclear instrumentation is configured to measure the reactor's output power and compare it with the calculated reactor's power. Based on the discrepancy between the calculated power and the measured power exceeds a threshold; and the nuclear instrumentation is appropriately calibrated by adjusting one or more settings.

Abstract: A molten salt reactor system includes a fuel salt system configured to circulate a molten salt through a reactor vessel. The molten salt reactor system further includes an inert gas system fluidically coupled with the fuel salt system and configured to maintain a pressurized volume fluidically between the molten salt and a drain tank by circulating an inert gas along a first inert flow path. The molten salt reactor system further includes an equalization system configured to equalize pressure between all head spaces of the molten salt reactor system including the reactor vessel and the drain tank in response to a shutdown event. The inert gas system is configured to cease maintenance of the pressurized volume in response to the shutdown event.