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Westinghouse Very Small Modular Reactor Progress
- Thread starter gmax137
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Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around the Westinghouse eVinci microreactor, focusing on its cooling mechanisms and electricity generation processes. Participants explore the technology's operational principles, particularly the use of heat pipes and the Brayton cycle, while seeking clarity on specific technical aspects.
Discussion Character
- Technical explanation
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants express confusion about the cooling method of the eVinci microreactor, specifically questioning how it operates without water and how heat is managed.
- There is mention of heat pipes as a cooling mechanism, with some participants noting that these reactors are described as not pressurized and having no moving parts.
- One participant shares links to resources, including paywalled papers and technical documents, in an attempt to find more detailed information about the reactor's operation.
- Another participant clarifies that while the reactor itself has no moving parts, the heat pipes contain moving fluid, which may not be considered a "moving part" in the traditional sense.
- The Brayton cycle is discussed as the method by which heat is converted into electricity, with a description of its components including a heat exchanger, turbine, and generator.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants do not reach a consensus on the technical details of the eVinci microreactor, with ongoing questions and clarifications regarding its cooling system and operational mechanics.
Contextual Notes
Some participants note the difficulty in accessing comprehensive technical information, suggesting that much of the relevant data may be proprietary or not readily available in public domains.
- #2
Andrew Mason
Science Advisor
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Thanks for the link to the article. I live in Saskatchewan and I was puzzled by the article in our local paper today quoting Westinghouse CEO as saying that it does not require water (Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, Nov 27, 2023, p.1):
I was interested to know two things:
1. how is it cooled?
2. how does the heat from the fission reactions generate electricity?
From the link to the article you provided, the answer to the first question appears to be "heat pipes" and answer to the second question is that heat is transferred passively to air and the hot air drives a Brayton cycle turbine. What I don't understand, then, is the statement: "heat pipe reactors are not pressurized and have no moving parts"
AM
I was interested to know two things:
1. how is it cooled?
2. how does the heat from the fission reactions generate electricity?
From the link to the article you provided, the answer to the first question appears to be "heat pipes" and answer to the second question is that heat is transferred passively to air and the hot air drives a Brayton cycle turbine. What I don't understand, then, is the statement: "heat pipe reactors are not pressurized and have no moving parts"
AM
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I really don't know much about the eVinci, I was not involved in that at all. Maybe this will lead to answers:Andrew Mason said:
https://www.westinghousenuclear.com/energy-systems/evinci-microreactor
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Well that link is interesting but doesn't help much.
This is an abstract to a paywalled paper
https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ICONE/proceedings-abstract/ICONE28/85246/1122366
This one is older but provides a few more hints
https://www.westinghousenuclear.com...vincitm/eVinci Micro Reactor NPJ M-A 2019.pdf
I'm going to see if I can find more technical info on the NRC ADAMS system.
This is an abstract to a paywalled paper
https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ICONE/proceedings-abstract/ICONE28/85246/1122366
This one is older but provides a few more hints
https://www.westinghousenuclear.com...vincitm/eVinci Micro Reactor NPJ M-A 2019.pdf
I'm going to see if I can find more technical info on the NRC ADAMS system.
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Searching ADAMS for evinci in the document name finds hits but they all look like meeting notices. I'm thinking the technical stuff is proprietary. Not sure where to find something in the middle, between advertising and Topical Reports. There should be non-prop Topicals.
- #6
Tom.G
Science Advisor
Gold Member
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This says a bit about the technology:
https://www.westinghousenuclear.com/Portals/0/new plants/evincitm/GTO-0001 eVinci flysheet.pdf
(above, and more, found with:
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=theory+of+operation+eVinci+reactor)
Cheers,
Tom
https://www.westinghousenuclear.com/Portals/0/new plants/evincitm/GTO-0001 eVinci flysheet.pdf
(above, and more, found with:
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=theory+of+operation+eVinci+reactor)
Cheers,
Tom
- #7
rpp
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Andrew Mason said:
The reactor is composed of fuel and heat pipes. The fuel generates heat, the heat pipes then transport the heat to a heat exchanger, which then heats up the gas. There are no moving parts in the reactor itself. There is moving fluid in the heat pipes, but this isn't considered "moving parts".
The Brayton cycle is a standard "heat engine" that is used to turn a generator. It is composed of a heat exchanger (where the energy comes from), a turbine and generator (where the energy is transferred to), and a compressor. In a closed cycle, there is another heat exchanger to transmit unused heat from the system. There are moving parts in the Brayton cycle.
You can refer to Wikipedia for more information on the Brayton Cycle.