Research on Thermoelectric Coupling Characteristics of a 100 kW Silent Heat Pipe Cooled Reactor Based on Finite Element Method

Tang Simiao; Lian Qiang; Zhu Longxiang; Zhang Luteng; Ma Zaiyong

doi:10.13832/j.jnpe.2024.060015

Volume 46 Issue 3

Jun. 2025

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Article Navigation > Nuclear Power Engineering > 2025 > 46(3): 68-77

Tang Simiao, Lian Qiang, Zhu Longxiang, Zhang Luteng, Ma Zaiyong. Research on Thermoelectric Coupling Characteristics of a 100 kW Silent Heat Pipe Cooled Reactor Based on Finite Element Method[J]. Nuclear Power Engineering, 2025, 46(3): 68-77. doi: 10.13832/j.jnpe.2024.060015

Citation:

Tang Simiao, Lian Qiang, Zhu Longxiang, Zhang Luteng, Ma Zaiyong. Research on Thermoelectric Coupling Characteristics of a 100 kW Silent Heat Pipe Cooled Reactor Based on Finite Element Method[J]. Nuclear Power Engineering, 2025, 46(3): 68-77. doi: 10.13832/j.jnpe.2024.060015

Citation:

Tang Simiao, Lian Qiang, Zhu Longxiang, Zhang Luteng, Ma Zaiyong. Research on Thermoelectric Coupling Characteristics of a 100 kW Silent Heat Pipe Cooled Reactor Based on Finite Element Method[J]. Nuclear Power Engineering, 2025, 46(3): 68-77. doi: 10.13832/j.jnpe.2024.060015

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Research on Thermoelectric Coupling Characteristics of a 100 kW Silent Heat Pipe Cooled Reactor Based on Finite Element Method

doi: 10.13832/j.jnpe.2024.060015

Tang Simiao^{1, 2, 3
,},
Lian Qiang^{1, 2, 3},
Zhu Longxiang^{1, 2, 3},
Zhang Luteng^{1, 3},
Ma Zaiyong^{1, 3}

1.
Key Laboratory of Low-grade Energy Utilization Technologies and Systems, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
2.
Postdoctoral Station of Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
3.
Department of Nuclear Engineering and Technology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China

Received Date: 2024-06-04
Rev Recd Date: 2024-07-05

Available Online: 2025-06-09

Publish Date: 2025-06-09

Abstract

Abstract

The silent heat pipe reactor adopts a energy transmission and thermoelectric conversion system that couples high-temperature heat pipes with thermoelectric power generation. It is a preferred reactor type of portable small nuclear power source in various fields such as sea, land, air, and space in the future due to its passive safety, high reliability and ultra silence. Based on the multi physical field coupling analysis platform COMSOL Multiphysics, this paper establishes a quarter model of the whole system of the heat pipe reactor according to the design scheme of a 100-kilowatt level silent heat pipe reactor, including fuel rods, core matrix, heat pipes, reflectors, control rods, sliding reflectors, thermoelectric generations and other systems. Steady-state operating conditions, single heat pipe failure conditions, and single-row thermoelectric system unloading conditions are analyzed to investigate system thermoelectric coupling characteristics. The research results indicate that due to the temperature flattening characteristics of the core matrix and the thermoelectric system matrix, the failure of a single heat pipe will not have a significant impact on the operation of the reactor and the output power of the thermoelectric system. When the local thermoelectric system unloading accident occurs in a heat pipe reactor, the core temperature will increase due to the decrease in the heat transfer capacity of the thermoelectric system. The thermoelectric system that has not been unloaded can still work normally, ensuring effective electrical energy output.
- Silent heat pipe reactor,
- Finite element method,
- Heat pipe failure,
- Thermoelectric system unloading,
- Thermal-electrical coupling

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References(18)

References

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