Heat Removal in Small Nuclear Reactors

Author: Evan Kirkpatrick

Field of Study: Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Math

Faculty Mentors: John Fillo, Robert Wagner

Easel: 87

Timeslot: Afternoon

Abstract: As societal power needs continue to grow, there is increasing emphasis on solutions with high energy density and low carbon footprints. Small nuclear power reactors, which consist of small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors, are known for their flexibility, scalability, ease of implementation, and safety. However, with the small size and advanced core designs of many small reactors, as well as their intended use in applications that do not permit constant monitoring and intervention, conventional water cooling is not a practical heat transfer solution. Heat pipes offer passive, high efficiency heat transfer that is compatible with advanced small reactors. To facilitate design optimization of heat pipes in small reactors, this study here introduces a tool that solves the partial differential equations that characterize heat pipe performance with respect to their various design parameters and constraints.