Integrated reactor shield structures and integrated pressure vessel structures
An integrated reactor shield structure includes radially adjacent layers. Each layer includes radially extending walls defining cells and a sheet surrounding the radially extending walls. Biologic shielding material is disposed in each of the cells. Integrated pressure vessel structures are also disclosed.
1 . An integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure for a nuclear reactor, the integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure comprising:
radially adjacent layers, each layer comprising radially extending walls defining cells and a sheet surrounding the radially extending walls, the radially extending walls and the sheet being formed from steel, a steel alloy, an aluminum alloy, a titanium alloy, or a nickel alloy, and each of the cells comprising a linear channel extending longitudinally along substantially an entire length of each layer; and
biologic shielding material disposed in each of the cells,
the radially adjacent lavers each comprising an annular flange, the annular flange of each of the layers being fastened to one another.
2 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 1 , wherein the cells comprise a repeating shape, the repeating shape comprising a triangular channel, rectangular channel, or corrugated channel.
3 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 1 , wherein the radially adjacent layers comprise a first layer and at least a second layer radially adjacent to the first layer, and wherein the cells of the first layer are offset in a circumferential direction from the cells of the at least a second layer.
4 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 1 , wherein the radially adjacent layers comprise a first layer, and wherein the radially extending walls defining the cells of the first layer increase in thickness radially from an inside surface of the radially extending walls to an outside surface of the radially extending walls.
5 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 1 , wherein the biologic shielding material comprises one or more of tungsten carbide (WC), tungsten diboride (WB 2 ), tungsten tetra-boride (WB 4 ), or boron carbide (B 4 C).
6 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 1 , wherein the biologic shielding material exhibits porosity for storing helium.
7 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 1 , wherein the biologic shielding material is sized within the cells to leave a gap between the radially extending walls of the cells and the biologic shielding material to allow helium storage.
8 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 1 , wherein the sheet of each layer is bonded to the radially extending walls.
9 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 1 , wherein columns of the biologic shielding material are disposed within the linear channels.
10 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 1 , wherein the linear channels comprise a cross-sectional area exhibiting a shape of a circular section of a hollow cylinder.
11 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 1 , wherein the linear channels comprise a cross-sectional area exhibiting a triangular shape.
12 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 1 , wherein the linear channels comprise a cross-sectional area exhibiting a rectangular shape.
13 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 1 , wherein the linear channels exhibit a corrugated shape.
14 . A pressure vessel structure integrating a reactor shield comprising:
layers of sandwich composite material, each layer comprising:
a sheet of metallic material, and
cell walls of the metallic material, the cell walls extending radially from the sheet, the sheet and the cell walls defining cores therebetween, the cores comprising longitudinally extending channels that each extend along substantially an entire length of each layer; and
filler material disposed within the cores, the filler material being configured to transmit a compressive force between the layers of sandwich composite material,
the layers of sandwich composite material each comprising an annular flange, the annular flange of each of the layers of sandwich composite material being fastened to one another.
15 . The pressure vessel structure of claim 14 , wherein the filler material exhibits a column or internal truss shaped to correspond to the longitudinally extending channels.
16 . The pressure vessel structure of claim 15 , wherein the longitudinally extending channels comprise a cross-sectional area exhibiting a shape of a circular section of a hollow cylinder.
17 . An integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure comprising:
a first layer comprising:
a first sheet of metallic material,
first cell walls extending radially from the first sheet, the first cell walls and the first sheet defining first cores therebetween, each first core being configured as a first channel extending longitudinally along substantially an entire length of the integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure, and
a first biologic shielding material disposed within the first cores; and
a second layer adjacent to the first layer, the second layer comprising:
a second sheet of metallic material,
second cell walls extending radially from the second sheet, the second cell walls and the second sheet defining second cores therebetween, each second core being configured as a second channel extending longitudinally along substantially the entire length of the integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure, and the second cell walls being circumferentially offset from the first cell walls, and
a second biologic shielding material disposed within the second cores, the second biologic shielding material overlapping the first cell walls,
the first and second layers each comprising an annular flange, the annular flange of each of the first and second layers being fastened to one another.
18 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 17 , wherein the first biologic shielding material and the second biologic shielding material comprise one or more of tungsten carbide (WC), tungsten diboride (WB 2 ), tungsten tetra-boride (WB 4 ), or boron carbide (B 4 C).
19 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 18 , wherein the first biologic shielding material exhibits a different material composition than the second biologic shielding material.
20 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 17 , wherein the first and second channels have a cross-sectional area exhibiting a shape of a circular section of a hollow cylinder.
21 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 17 , wherein the first and second channels have a cross-sectional area exhibiting a triangular shape.
22 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 17 , wherein the first and second channels have a cross-sectional area exhibiting a rectangular shape.
23 . The integrated reactor shield and pressure vessel structure of claim 17 , wherein the first and second channels have a corrugated shape.