In this study, compactness improvement capacity of a self-powered efficiency booster is analyzed for natural circulation systems used in integral small modular reactors (SMR). Based on thermoelectric principle, the booster converts heat energy into electricity directly, which is used to produce additional driving force for natural circulation flow and heat transfer. Thus, flow and heat transfer are enhanced and such systems do not rely on gravity solely. Consequently, requirement on loop height and heat transfer area can be relaxed. Numerical simulations and experimental tests have been carried out. The results indicate that, using the booster, loop height is no longer a determining factor for natural circulation systems, and lower height can be used for the same performance. Furthermore, if the desirable heat transfer rate was kept, the heat exchanger area can be reduced by a factor of 25%–78%. With these results, compactness improvement capacity of the booster is proved.

在这项研究中，分析了用于整体小型模块化反应堆 (SMR) 的自然循环系统的自供电效率助推器的紧凑性改进能力。增压器基于热电原理，将热能直接转化为电能，为自然循环流动和传热产生附加驱动力。因此，流动和热传递得到增强，并且此类系统不仅仅依赖于重力。因此，可以放宽对回路高度和传热面积的要求。已经进行了数值模拟和实验测试。结果表明，使用增压器后，环路高度不再是自然循环系统的决定因素，可以使用较低的高度来实现相同的性能。此外，如果保持理想的传热率，换热器面积可减少 25%–78%。这些结果证明了助推器的紧凑性改进能力。