Temperature analysis of extra vessel electromagnetic pump cooling for a Micro nuclear reactor with an electric power of 20 MW

Abstract

Lead bismuth eutectic (LBE) is used as coolant for MicroURANUS, a small marine nuclear power plant, and this coolant is transported in the plant by an electromagnetic pump. Given the considerable heat generated by the electromagnetic pump, the cooling of the pump is essential. This study compared air cooling and water-cooling methods and found that the maximum temperatures during air and water cooling were 640 K and 372 K, respectively. These findings were utilized to design an electromagnetic pump with water-cooling. The maximum temperature of the pump was lower than the boiling point of water; thus, the pump did not require a separate pressurization. Consequently, the resistance problem of the coil and the deformation problem of the material caused by generated heat can be solved through water-cooling.