A method of obtaining transuranic elements for nanofuel including: receiving spent nuclear fuel (SNF); separating elements from SNF, including a stream of elements with Z>92, fissile fuel, passive agent, fertile fuel, or fission products; and providing elements. A method of using transuranic elements to create nanofuel, including: receiving, converting, and mixing the transuranic elements with a moderator to obtain nanofuel.
An exemplary embodiment can include an apparatus including: an internal-external hybrid nuclear reactor, which can include: at least one reciprocating internal engine; and at least one external reactor integrated with said at least one reciprocating internal engine. The reciprocating engine can receive nanofuel (including moderator, nanoscale molecular dimensions & molecular mixture) internally in an internal combustion engine that releases nuclear energy. A method of operating the hybrid nuclear reactor can include operating the reciprocating internal engine loaded with nanofuel in spark or compression ignition mode. A method of cycling the reciprocating internal engine, can include compressing nanofuel; igniting nanofuel; capturing energy released in nanofuel, which is also the working fluid; and using the working fluid to perform mechanical work or generate heat.
G21C 1/08 - Réacteurs hétérogènes, c.-à-d. dans lesquels le combustible et le modérateur sont séparés le modérateur étant hautement pressurisé, p. ex. réacteur à eau bouillante, réacteur à surchauffe intégrale, réacteur à eau pressurisée
G21D 1/00 - Détails des installations à énergie nucléaire
G21C 21/02 - Fabrication des éléments combustibles ou surrégénérateurs à l'intérieur de gaines non-actives
G21C 3/42 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme combustibles pour réacteurs
A nanofuel engine including receiving nanofuel (including moderator, nanoscale molecular dimensions & molecular mixture) internally in an internal combustion engine that releases nuclear energy, is set forth. A nanofuel chemical composition of fissile fuel, passive agent, and moderator. A method of obtaining transuranic elements for nanofuel including: receiving spent nuclear fuel (SNF); separating elements from SNF, including a stream of elements with Z>92, fissile fuel, passive agent, fertile fuel, or fission products; and providing elements. A method of using transuranic elements to create nanofuel, including: receiving, converting, and mixing the transuranic elements with a moderator to obtain nanofuel. A method of operating a nanofuel engine loaded with nanofuel in spark or compression ignition mode. A method of cycling a nanofuel engine, including compressing nanofuel; igniting nanofuel; capturing energy released in nanofuel, which is also the working fluid; and using the working fluid to perform mechanical work or generate heat.
G21D 5/02 - Réacteur et moteur structurellement combinés, p. ex. portatifs
B82Y 99/00 - Matière non prévue dans les autres groupes de la présente sous-classe
F02B 45/08 - Moteurs caractérisés par leur fonctionnement avec d'autres combustibles non liquidesEnsembles fonctionnels comportant de tels moteurs fonctionnant avec d'autres combustibles solides
G21C 3/42 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme combustibles pour réacteurs
G21C 19/42 - Retraitement des combustibles irradiés
G21C 19/44 - Retraitement des combustibles irradiés des combustibles solides irradiés
G21C 1/24 - Réacteurs homogènes, c.-à-d. dans lesquels le combustible et le modérateur présentent un milieu effectivement homogène aux neutrons
A nanofuel engine including receiving nanofuel (including moderator, nanoscale molecular dimensions & molecular mixture) internally in an internal combustion engine that releases nuclear energy, is set forth. A nanofuel chemical composition of fissile fuel, passive agent, and moderator. A method of obtaining transuranic elements for nanofuel including: receiving spent nuclear fuel (SNF); separating elements from SNF, including a stream of elements with Z>92, fissile fuel, passive agent, fertile fuel, or fission products; and providing elements. A method of using transuranic elements to create nanofuel, including: receiving, converting, and mixing the transuranic elements with a moderator to obtain nanofuel. A method of operating a nanofuel engine loaded with nanofuel in spark or compression ignition mode. A method of cycling a nanofuel engine, including compressing nanofuel; igniting nanofuel; capturing energy released in nanofuel, which is also the working fluid; and using the working fluid to perform mechanical work or generate heat.
G21C 19/42 - Retraitement des combustibles irradiés
G21C 19/32 - Appareils pour enlever des objets ou matériaux radioactifs de l'aire de décharge du réacteur, p. ex. pour les porter à un emplacement de stockageAppareils pour manipuler des objets ou matériaux radioactifs à l'intérieur d'un emplacement de stockage ou les extraire de celui-ci
A nanofuel engine including receiving nanofuel (including a molecular mixture, where the molecular mixture includes at least one molecule with dimensions on a nanometer scale) internally in an internal engine that releases nuclear energy, is set forth. A nanofuel chemical composition of fissile fuel, passive agent, and moderator. A method of operating a nanofuel engine loaded with nanofuel in spark or compression ignition mode. A method of cycling a nanofuel engine, including compressing nanofuel; igniting nanofuel; capturing energy released in nanofuel, which is also the working fluid; and using the working fluid to perform mechanical work or generate heat.
F02B 53/10 - Alimentation en combustibleIntroduction du combustible dans la chambre de combustion
B64G 1/40 - Aménagements ou adaptations des systèmes de propulsion
G21C 19/42 - Retraitement des combustibles irradiés
G21H 3/00 - Dispositions pour la conversion directe de l'énergie de rayonnement des sources radioactives en des formes d'énergie autres que l'énergie électrique, p. ex. en lumière
F02B 77/00 - Parties constitutives, détails ou accessoires, non prévus ailleurs
A nanofuel engine including an inventive nanofuel internal engine, whereby nuclear energy is released in the working fluid and directly converted into useful work, with the qualities of an economical advanced small modular gaseous pulsed thermal reactor. Scientific feasibility is established by studying the behavior of nuclear fuels in configurations designed to support a fission chain reaction. Nanofuel is defined as nuclear fuel suitable for use in an internal engine, comprised of six essential ingredients, and can be created from clean fuel or from the transuranic elements found in light-water reactor spent nuclear fuel in a proliferation resistant manner. Three essential ingredients ensure the nanofuel is inherently stable, due to a negative temperature coefficient of reactivity. Reciprocating and Wankel (rotary) internal engine configurations, which operate in an Otto cycle, are adapted to support a fission chain reaction. Dynamic engine cores experience a decrease in criticality as the engine piston or rotor moves away from the top dead center position. In this inherent safety feature, the increase in engine core volume decreases the nanofuel density and increases the neutron leakage. Technological feasibility is demonstrated by examining potential engineering limitations. The nanofuel internal engine can be operated in two modes: spark-ignition with an external neutron source such as a fusion neutron generator; and compression-ignition with an internal neutron source. The structural integrity can be maintained using standard internal combustion engine design and operation practices. The fuel system can be operated in a closed thermodynamic cycle, which allows for complete fuel utilization, continuous refueling, and easy fission product extraction. Nanofuel engine power plant configurations offer favorable economic, safety, and waste management attributes when compared to existing power generation technology. The initial (first-of-a-kind) overnight capital cost is approximately $400 per kilowatt-electric. Obvious safety features include an underground installation, autonomous operation, and an ultra-low nuclear material inventory.
F02B 53/10 - Alimentation en combustibleIntroduction du combustible dans la chambre de combustion
F02B 55/14 - Forme ou structure des chambres de combustion
F02P 23/04 - Autres moyens physiques d'allumage, p. ex. par laser
G21C 1/32 - Réacteurs du type intégré, c.-à-d. réacteurs dans lesquels des parties associées de façon fonctionnelle avec le réacteur, mais non essentielles à la réaction, p. ex. des échangeurs de chaleur, sont disposées à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe avec le cœur
G21C 19/42 - Retraitement des combustibles irradiés
G21C 5/12 - Structure du modérateur ou du cœurEmploi de matériaux spécifiés comme modérateur caractérisée par la composition, p. ex. le modérateur contenant des substances additionnelles qui assurent une meilleure résistance du modérateur
F02B 53/00 - Aspects combustion interne des moteurs à pistons rotatifs ou oscillants
A nanofuel engine including receiving nanofuel (including moderator, nanoscale molecular dimensions & molecular mixture) internally in an internal combustion engine that releases nuclear energy, is set forth. A nanofuel chemical composition of fissile fuel, passive agent, and moderator. A method of obtaining transuranic elements for nanofuel including: receiving spent nuclear fuel (SNF); separating elements from SNF, including a stream of elements with Z>92, fissile fuel, passive agent, fertile fuel, or fission products; and providing elements. A method of using transuranic elements to create nanofuel, including: receiving, converting, and mixing the transuranic elements with a moderator to obtain nanofuel. A method of operating a nanofuel engine loaded with nanofuel in spark or compression ignition mode. A method of cycling a nanofuel engine, including compressing nanofuel; igniting nanofuel; capturing energy released in nanofuel, which is also the working fluid; and using the working fluid to perform mechanical work or generate heat.
F02B 53/00 - Aspects combustion interne des moteurs à pistons rotatifs ou oscillants
G21D 5/02 - Réacteur et moteur structurellement combinés, p. ex. portatifs
G21C 1/32 - Réacteurs du type intégré, c.-à-d. réacteurs dans lesquels des parties associées de façon fonctionnelle avec le réacteur, mais non essentielles à la réaction, p. ex. des échangeurs de chaleur, sont disposées à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe avec le cœur
G21C 3/42 - Emploi de substances spécifiées comme combustibles pour réacteurs
G21C 19/42 - Retraitement des combustibles irradiés
A nanofuel engine including receiving nanofuel (including moderator, nanoscale molecular dimensions & molecular mixture) internally in an internal combustion engine that releases nuclear energy, is set forth. A nanofuel chemical composition of fissile fuel, passive agent, and moderator. A method of obtaining transuranic elements for nanofuel including: receiving spent nuclear fuel (SNF); separating elements from SNF, including a stream of elements with Z>92, fissile fuel, passive agent, fertile fuel, or fission products; and providing elements. A method of using transuranic elements to create nanofuel, including: receiving, converting, and mixing the transuranic elements with a moderator to obtain nanofuel. A method of operating a nanofuel engine loaded with nanofuel in spark or compression ignition mode. A method of cycling a nanofuel engine, including compressing nanofuel; igniting nanofuel; capturing energy released in nanofuel, which is also the working fluid; and using the working fluid to perform mechanical work or generate heat.
F02B 27/02 - Utilisation de l'énergie cinétique ou pulsatoire de la charge dans les systèmes d'admission ou utilisation des résidus de combustion dans les systèmes d'échappement, pour améliorer la quantité de la charge ou pour accroître l'évacuation des résidus de la combustion les systèmes ayant des sections transversales variables, c.-à-d. réglables, des chambres de volume variables ou des moyens variables similaires
F02B 69/00 - Moteurs à combustion interne transformables en un autre type de moteur à combustion non prévus en Moteurs à combustion interne de différents types caractérisés par des structures facilitant l'utilisation des mêmes pièces principales dans les différents types
F02B 69/02 - Moteurs à combustion interne transformables en un autre type de moteur à combustion non prévus en Moteurs à combustion interne de différents types caractérisés par des structures facilitant l'utilisation des mêmes pièces principales dans les différents types fonctionnant avec différents types de combustibles, autres que les moteurs pouvant consommer un combustible quelconque, p. ex. transformables pour passer d'un combustible léger à un combustible lourd
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