Conceptual Design of a Compact Solid-State Thorium-Plutonium Hybrid Reactor with Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) Energy Conversion"
Fuente:
Zenodo
Enregistré dans:
| Auteur principal: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Recurso digital |
| Langue: | anglais |
| Publié: |
Zenodo
2026
|
| Sujets: | |
| Accès en ligne: | |
| Tags: |
Ajouter un tag
Pas de tags, Soyez le premier à ajouter un tag!
|
| _version_ | 1866901725372219392 |
|---|---|
| author | Porwal, Harsh |
| author_facet | Porwal, Harsh |
| contents | <p>Abstract:</p> <p>This abstract presents a comprehensive conceptual framework for a compact, next-generation Solid-State Thorium-Plutonium Hybrid Reactor. The proposed architecture deviates from conventional Uranium-based pressurized water reactors (PWRs) by completely eliminating mechanically complex steam turbine cycles. Instead, this design introduces a direct energy conversion methodology leveraging high-efficiency Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) semiconductor chips (such as Indium Gallium Arsenide - InGaAs) coupled with Thermoelectric Generators (TEG).</p> <p>The structural configuration utilizes a multi-layered spherical/ellipsoidal vessel designed to optimize radiative heat transfer while maintaining rigorous radiological safety:</p> <p>Core Matrix: A hybrid configuration where Plutonium-239 acts as a fissile initiator to breed and sustain fission within a fertile Thorium-232 blanket.</p> <p>Moderator & Reflector: High-density pure graphite to regulate neutron velocity and act as a thermal stabilizer.</p> <p>Control & Shielding Infrastructure: Core integration of high-purity Tungsten for ultra-high temperature resilience (up to 3422°C) combined with Boron control rods for dynamic neutron absorption.</p> <p>Energy Conversion & Insulation: An engineered vacuum gap minimizes thermal conduction and convection losses, thereby focusing core infrared radiation directly onto the surrounding TPV conversion layer to generate direct current (DC) electricity.</p> <p>Biological Containment: External cooling loops manage hydrostatic pressure, working in tandem with structural steel and high-density lead shielding to provide a complete barrier against gamma and beta emissions.</p> <p>The resulting solid-state mechanism offers significant operational advantages, including zero mechanical wear, completely silent operation, and prolonged fuel cycle autonomy. This conceptual model is published to facilitate academic peer review, computational neutronics simulation, and material engineering discussions within the nuclear energy research community.</p> <p>Keywords: Thorium Fuel Cycle, Plutonium Seed, Thermophotovoltaics (TPV), Solid-State Reactor, Radiative Heat Transfer, Clean Energy.</p> |
| format | Recurso digital |
| id | zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_20225904 |
| institution | Zenodo |
| language | eng |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publisher | Zenodo |
| record_format | zenodo |
| spellingShingle | Conceptual Design of a Compact Solid-State Thorium-Plutonium Hybrid Reactor with Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) Energy Conversion" Porwal, Harsh Small nuclear reacter <p>Abstract:</p> <p>This abstract presents a comprehensive conceptual framework for a compact, next-generation Solid-State Thorium-Plutonium Hybrid Reactor. The proposed architecture deviates from conventional Uranium-based pressurized water reactors (PWRs) by completely eliminating mechanically complex steam turbine cycles. Instead, this design introduces a direct energy conversion methodology leveraging high-efficiency Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) semiconductor chips (such as Indium Gallium Arsenide - InGaAs) coupled with Thermoelectric Generators (TEG).</p> <p>The structural configuration utilizes a multi-layered spherical/ellipsoidal vessel designed to optimize radiative heat transfer while maintaining rigorous radiological safety:</p> <p>Core Matrix: A hybrid configuration where Plutonium-239 acts as a fissile initiator to breed and sustain fission within a fertile Thorium-232 blanket.</p> <p>Moderator & Reflector: High-density pure graphite to regulate neutron velocity and act as a thermal stabilizer.</p> <p>Control & Shielding Infrastructure: Core integration of high-purity Tungsten for ultra-high temperature resilience (up to 3422°C) combined with Boron control rods for dynamic neutron absorption.</p> <p>Energy Conversion & Insulation: An engineered vacuum gap minimizes thermal conduction and convection losses, thereby focusing core infrared radiation directly onto the surrounding TPV conversion layer to generate direct current (DC) electricity.</p> <p>Biological Containment: External cooling loops manage hydrostatic pressure, working in tandem with structural steel and high-density lead shielding to provide a complete barrier against gamma and beta emissions.</p> <p>The resulting solid-state mechanism offers significant operational advantages, including zero mechanical wear, completely silent operation, and prolonged fuel cycle autonomy. This conceptual model is published to facilitate academic peer review, computational neutronics simulation, and material engineering discussions within the nuclear energy research community.</p> <p>Keywords: Thorium Fuel Cycle, Plutonium Seed, Thermophotovoltaics (TPV), Solid-State Reactor, Radiative Heat Transfer, Clean Energy.</p> |
| title | Conceptual Design of a Compact Solid-State Thorium-Plutonium Hybrid Reactor with Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) Energy Conversion" |
| topic | Small nuclear reacter |
| url | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20225904 |