Nuclear microreactor gets unmatched safety with live 3D temperature mapping

A team of researchers at the University of Michigan has developed a groundbreaking real-time, 3D temperature mapping system for nuclear microreactors.

This innovation promises to enhance safety monitoring and pave the way for wider adoption of these compact power sources.

Nuclear microreactors, small enough to be transported by a semi-truck, are seen as a viable solution for providing energy in remote locations, disaster relief situations, and military operations.

However, their deployment in such environments necessitates robust monitoring systems to ensure safe operation.

A promising solution

The new system, detailed in a study published in Applied Mathematical Modelling, utilizes a novel theoretical foundation to evaluate basis functions, which are used to describe fundamental trends in data.

This approach enables the reconstruction of high-resolution 3D temperature distributions within the microreactor, allowing for unprecedented real-time monitoring.

“One of the main challenges” to achieving wider adoption of nuclear microreactors is the ability to ensure that we know what’s going on inside the reactor at any given time, said Brendan Kochunas, an associate professor at U-M and senior author of the study .

The researchers believe their method, which is well-suited for remote operation due to its computer-memory-aware nature, could be a game-changer for digital twin systems. These systems are virtual representations of physical reactors reconstructed from sensor data.

Digital twins are an exciting new prospective technology that may improve both the safety and economic viability of nuclear microreactors, said Dean Price, a doctoral student at U-M and corresponding author of the study.

Refining the accuracy

While the initial evaluation found that general basis functions are not accurate enough for real-world microreactor temperature monitoring, the team has identified ways to improve them.

They propose using tailored basis functions created specifically from precalculated temperature distributions for each microreactor, which they believe will significantly enhance accuracy.

“Our methods are particularly well suited for remote operation as they take computer memory into account, which will be useful for providing detailed information to digital twin monitoring systems with limited computational abilities,” said Price.

Looking ahead

The ability to monitor temperature distributions in real-time could revolutionize the way nuclear microreactors are operated and monitored. It will potentially open up new markets for nuclear power and aid in the transition to a decarbonized electric grid.

The researchers are optimistic about the future of their technology. “Before deployment, we must ensure that surveillance using digital twins provides accurate information for safe operation within core operating limits,” said Majdi Radaideh, U-M assistant professor and contributing author of the study.

However, the potential benefits of this innovation for the nuclear industry and beyond are undeniable.