Venkateswara Rao Dasari

Bio: Venkateswara Rao Dasari is an academic researcher from Los Alamos National Laboratory. The author has contributed to research in topics: Heat pipe & Conceptual design. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 3 publications receiving 48 citations.

Design of megawatt power level heat pipe reactors

Abstract: An important niche for nuclear energy is the need for power at remote locations removed from a reliable electrical grid. Nuclear energy has potential applications at strategic defense locations, theaters of battle, remote communities, and emergency locations. With proper safeguards, a 1 to 10-MWe (megawatt electric) mobile reactor system could provide robust, self-contained, and long-term power in any environment. Heat pipe-cooled fast-spectrum nuclear reactors have been identified as a candidate for these applications. Heat pipe reactors, using alkali metal heat pipes, are perfectly suited for mobile applications because their nature is inherently simpler, smaller, and more reliable than “traditional” reactors. The goal of this project was to develop a scalable conceptual design for a compact reactor and to identify scaling issues for compact heat pipe cooled reactors in general. Toward this goal two detailed concepts were developed, the first concept with more conventional materials and a power of about 2 MWe and a the second concept with less conventional materials and a power level of about 5 MWe. A series of more qualitative advanced designs were developed (with less detail) that show power levels can be pushed to approximately 30 MWe.

Mobile heat pipe cooled fast reactor system

Abstract: A mobile heat pipe cooled fast nuclear reactor may be configured for transportation to remote locations and may be able to provide 0.5 to 2 megawatts of power. The mobile heat pipe cooled fast reactor may contain a plurality of heat pipes that are proximate to a plurality of fuel pins inside the reactor. The plurality of heat pipes may extend out of the reactor. The reactor may be configured to be placed in a standard shipping container, and may further be configured to be contained within a cask and attached to a skid for easier transportation.

Pyrolytic Carbon Coating Effects on Oxide and Carbide Kernels Intended for Nuclear Fuel Applications

Abstract: The coating of nuclear fuel kernels with pyrolytic carbon (PyC) is a well-understood practice dating back over half a century. In spite of decades of studies related to these coatings, no s...

Chemistry and kinetics of chemical vapor deposition of pyrocarbon - II. Pyrocarbon deposition from ethylene, acetylene and 1,3-butadiene in the low temperature regime. III. Pyrocarbon deposition from propylene and benzene in the low temperature regi*

Abstract: Abstract Pyrocarbon deposition from ethylene, acetylene and 1,3-butadiene was studied with a vertical hot-wall reactor at ambient pressure and 1000 °C; initial partial pressures of the hydrocarbons and residence time were varied. Steady-state pyrocarbon deposition rates and corresponding compositions of the gas-phase were determined. Reaction models describing homogeneous gas-phase and heterogeneous pyrocarbon deposition reactions were derived and applied for simulation of pyrocarbon deposition rates and the inhibiting effect of hydrogen. This latter effect is ascribed to a blocking of active sites at the growing pyrocarbon surface.

Emerging small modular nuclear power reactors: A critical review

Abstract: This paper reviews the smallness, modularity and reactor-design aspects of emerging small modular reactors (SMRs). It is shown that small (whether in physical size or power level) reactors are not new, but offer economic and flexibility advantages that allow their use in a variety of applications. The different definitions of modularity are reviewed, including modularity in design, process intensification, manufacturing and construction. It is shown that these forms of modularity when applied to SMRs have some advantages, but also have some challenges that need to be addressed if their full potential is to be realized. Even if these forms of modularity are not fully utilized, the lower power ( ≤ 300 MW electrical) of SMRs allows the formation of larger power plants by incremental addition of reactor units, in the so-called scale modularity. The paper reviews the unique features of emerging SMR designs, and compares them to those of the early era of nuclear power. It is shown that while many modern SMR designs incorporate well-proven features that were tested and proven in early reactors. others introduce aspects of Generation IV reactors, in terms of inherent and/or passive safety. Given the promise of SMRs as means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their ability to supply reliable and base-load power, the licensing of such reactors by national regulators will provide a boost to their acceptability and adaptability as a player in combating climate change.