HEAT-PIPE NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLY (HPNFA)
March 11, 2025
From the essay
The Heat-Pipe Nuclear Fuel Assembly (HPNFA) concept integrates heat pipe technology directly into the nuclear fuel assembly, enabling efficient heat transfer from the fuel rods to an external heat exchanger. By utilizing the phase-change properties of a sealed working fluid, heat is passively transported without the need for active coolant circulation, improving system simplicity and reliability. A sealed nuclear fuel assembly functions as a monolithic heat pipe, where the heat generated by nuclear fission is transferred to the heat exchanger through evaporation and condensation cycles.
Adapted from PDF pages 1.