Thorium Molten Salt System Using Internally Generated Proton-Induced Neutrons

    公开(公告)号:US20210020324A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-01-21

    申请号:US16722660

    申请日:2019-12-20

    摘要: A method of generating power using a Thorium-containing molten salt fuel is disclosed. One example of the disclosed method includes the steps of providing a vessel containing a molten salt fuel, the molten salt fuel comprising Thorium and at least one salt containing a nucleus capable of interacting with a proton of sufficient energy to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the generation of a neutron at a first energy level and generating a proton beam externally to the vessel, where the externally generated proton beam being of an energy level sufficient to interact with the at least one salt in the vessel to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the generation of a neutron at the first energy level. In the example, the externally generated proton beam is directed into the vessel such that at least some protons forming the beam will interact with an atom forming a part of the at least one salt contained in the vessel to causing interaction between the externally generated proton beam and the at least one salt contained in the vessel to produce (p, n) reactions resulting in the generation of neutrons within the vessel and an absorption reaction involving the generated neutrons and Thorium within the vessel. Neutrons generated within the vessel through the (p, n) reactions caused by the externally generated proton's interaction with the at least one salt are utilized to produce a fission reaction where the fission reaction increases. the heat content of the molten salt within the vessel. In the example, a heat exchanger is used to extract heat from the molten salt within the vessel and power is generated from the extracted heat.

    Thorium Molten Salt System Using Internally Generated Proton-Induced Neutrons

    公开(公告)号:US20210020323A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-01-21

    申请号:US16554264

    申请日:2019-08-28

    摘要: A method of generating power using a Thorium-containing molten salt fuel is disclosed. One example includes the steps of providing a vessel containing a molten salt fuel, generating a proton beam externally to the vessel, where the externally generated proton beam being of an energy level sufficient to interact with the salt in the vessel to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the generation of a neutron at the first energy level. Neutrons generated within the vessel through the (p, n) reactions caused by the externally generated proton's interaction with the at least one salt are utilized to produce a fission reaction where the fission reaction increases the heat content of the molten salt within the vessel. In the example, a heat exchanger is used to extract heat from the molten salt within the vessel and power is generated from the extracted heat.

    METHODS OF ENERGY GENERATION FROM A THORIUM MOLTEN SALT SYSTEM

    公开(公告)号:US20240120123A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-04-11

    申请号:US18295045

    申请日:2023-04-03

    申请人: TEXAS THORIUM LLC

    IPC分类号: G21G1/08 G21C3/54 G21G1/10

    摘要: A method of generating power using a Thorium-containing molten salt fuel is disclosed. One example of the disclosed method includes the steps of providing a vessel containing a molten salt fuel, the molten salt fuel comprising Thorium and at least one salt containing a nucleus capable of interacting with a proton of sufficient energy to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the generation of a neutron at a first energy level and generating a proton beam externally to the vessel, where the externally generated proton beam being of an energy level sufficient to interact with the at least one salt in the vessel to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the generation of a neutron at the first energy level. In the example, the externally generated proton beam is directed into the vessel such that at least some protons forming the beam will interact with an atom forming a part of the at least one salt contained in the vessel to causing interaction between the externally generated proton beam and the at least one salt contained in the vessel to produce (p, n) reactions resulting in the generation of neutrons within the vessel and an absorption reaction involving the generated neutrons and Thorium within the vessel. Neutrons generated within the vessel through the (p, n) reactions caused by the externally generated proton's interaction with the at least one salt are utilized to produce a fission reaction where the fission reaction increases. the heat content of the molten salt within the vessel. In the example, a heat exchanger is used to extract heat from the molten salt within the vessel and power is generated from the extracted heat.

    Thorium molten salt assembly for energy generation including solid Thorium rods

    公开(公告)号:US10784009B1

    公开(公告)日:2020-09-22

    申请号:US16724509

    申请日:2019-12-23

    摘要: A Thorium molten salt energy system is disclosed that includes a proton beam source for producing a proton beam, that can vary between a first energy level and a second energy level of, where the generated proton bean can be directed into a main assembly containing both Thorium-containing molten salt and Thorium fuel rods, each containing an inner Beryllium element and an outer solid Thorium element. The generated proton beam can be shaped and directed to impinge upon Lithium within the molten salt to promote the generation of thermal neutrons and the fission of Uranium within the molten salt. The generated proton beam can also be shaped and directed to impinge upon the Beryllium within the Thorium fuel rods to promote the generation of high energy neutrons.

    Methods of energy generation from a thorium molten salt system

    公开(公告)号:US11621098B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-04-04

    申请号:US17444483

    申请日:2021-08-05

    申请人: Texas Thorium LLC

    摘要: A method of generating power using a Thorium-containing molten salt fuel is disclosed. One example includes the steps of providing a vessel containing a molten salt fuel, generating a proton beam externally to the vessel, where the externally generated proton beam is of an energy level sufficient to interact with material within a fuel rod in the vessel to produce (p, n) reactions resulting in the generation of neutrons at a first energy level. Neutrons generated within the vessel through the (p, n) reactions are utilized to produce a fission reaction which increases the heat content of the molten salt within the vessel. In the example, a heat exchanger is used to extract heat from the molten salt within the vessel and power is generated from the extracted heat.

    Thorium fuel rod structure and assembly

    公开(公告)号:US10803998B1

    公开(公告)日:2020-10-13

    申请号:US16720339

    申请日:2019-12-19

    摘要: A Thorium fuel rod assembly is disclosed that includes first and second support elements and a number of Thorium fuel rods positioned between support elements. Each of the Thorium fuel rod includes an outer fuel element containing a solid Thorium an inner core element containing Beryllium that is positioned within an interior cavity defined by the outer fuel element. In an exemplary disclosure, the inner core element also defines an inner cavity such that a beam of high energy particles may be directed into the inner cavity of the inner core element to impinge upon a Beryllium nucleus within the inner core element to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the emission of a neutron, where the emitted neutron may interact with a Thorium nucleus in the outer fuel element to cause the Thorium nucleus to fission.

    Thorium fuel rod structure and assembly

    公开(公告)号:US10720245B1

    公开(公告)日:2020-07-21

    申请号:US16554734

    申请日:2019-08-29

    摘要: A Thorium fuel rod assembly is disclosed that includes first and second support elements and a number of Thorium fuel rods positioned between support elements. Each of the Thorium fuel rod includes an outer fuel element containing a solid Thorium an inner core element containing Beryllium that is positioned within an interior cavity defined by the outer fuel element. In an exemplary disclosure, the inner core element also defines an inner cavity such that a beam of high energy particles may be directed into the inner cavity of the inner core element to impinge upon a Beryllium nucleus within the inner core element to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the emission of a neutron, where the emitted neutron may interact with a Thorium nucleus in the outer fuel element to cause the Thorium nucleus to fission.

    Thorium molten salt system using internally generated proton-induced neutrons

    公开(公告)号:US11114212B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-09-07

    申请号:US16722660

    申请日:2019-12-20

    摘要: A method of generating power using a Thorium-containing molten salt fuel is disclosed. One example includes the steps of providing a vessel containing a molten salt fuel, generating a proton beam externally to the vessel, where the externally generated proton beam being of an energy level sufficient to interact with the salt in the vessel to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the generation of a neutron at the first energy level. Neutrons generated within the vessel through the (p, n) reactions caused by the externally generated proton's interaction with the at least one salt are utilized to produce a fission reaction where the fission reaction increases the heat content of the molten salt within the vessel. In the example, a heat exchanger is used to extract heat from the molten salt within the vessel and power is generated from the extracted heat.

    Thorium molten salt system for energy generation

    公开(公告)号:US10755830B1

    公开(公告)日:2020-08-25

    申请号:US16517195

    申请日:2019-07-19

    摘要: A Thorium molten salt energy system is disclosed that includes a proton beam source for producing a proton beam, that can vary between a first energy level and a second energy level of, where the generated proton bean can be directed into a main assembly containing both Thorium-containing molten salt and Thorium fuel rods, each containing an inner Beryllium element and an outer solid Thorium element. The generated proton beam can be shaped and directed to impinge upon Lithium within the molten salt to promote the generation of thermal neutrons and the fission of Uranium within the molten salt. The generated proton beam can also be shaped and directed to impinge upon the Beryllium within the Thorium fuel rods to promote the generation of high energy neutrons.

    Methods of Energy Generation from a Thorium Molten Salt System

    公开(公告)号:US20230041327A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-02-09

    申请号:US17444483

    申请日:2021-08-05

    申请人: Texas Thorium LLC

    IPC分类号: G21G1/08 G21G1/10 G21C3/54

    摘要: A method of generating power using a Thorium-containing molten salt fuel is disclosed. One example of the disclosed method includes the steps of providing a vessel containing a molten salt fuel, the molten salt fuel comprising Thorium and at least one salt containing a nucleus capable of interacting with a proton of sufficient energy to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the generation of a neutron at a first energy level and generating a proton beam externally to the vessel, where the externally generated proton beam being of an energy level sufficient to interact with the at least one salt in the vessel to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the generation of a neutron at the first energy level. In the example, the externally generated proton beam is directed into the vessel such that at least some protons forming the beam will interact with an atom forming a part of the at least one salt contained in the vessel to causing interaction between the externally generated proton beam and the at least one salt contained in the vessel to produce (p, n) reactions resulting in the generation of neutrons within the vessel and an absorption reaction involving the generated neutrons and Thorium within the vessel. Neutrons generated within the vessel through the (p, n) reactions caused by the externally generated proton’s interaction with the at least one salt are utilized to produce a fission reaction where the fission reaction increases. the heat content of the molten salt within the vessel. In the example, a heat exchanger is used to extract heat from the molten salt within the vessel and power is generated from the extracted heat.