Inactive

TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Molten Salt Heat Pipe Flow Control Globe Valve This technology is a novel flow control valve that provides all the functionality of a globe valve while eliminating mov... TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Molten Salt Heat Pipe Flow Control Globe Valve This technology is a novel flow control valve that provides all the functionality of a globe valve while eliminating moving parts, packing and metallic flow control sealing surfaces. Opportunity: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), managed and operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), is offering the opportunity to enter into a license and/or collaborative research agreement to commercialize the Molten Salt Heat Pipe Flow Control Globe Valve. This technology transfer opportunity is part of a dedicated effort to convert government-funded research into job opportunities, businesses and ultimately an improved way of life for the American people. Overview: Molten salts are being more commonly considered for use in many electricity generating applications, from concentrated solar power towers to nuclear reactors. Due to stability at high temperatures and low pressure, molten salts offer higher efficiencies in electrical generation process. Molten salts also do not require extreme pressure to prevent boiling, which reduces the risk of rapid phase changes such as steam explosions. However, molten salts are highly corrosive. Because of this, valves used to control the flow rate of the salts are often damaged. To resolve this issue, INL researchers have designed a valve that uses solidified salt as the primary mechanism for controlling the flow of the molten salt. Description: Researchers at INL have developed a novel flow control valve that uses a heat pipe in a configuration similar to a globe valve. This provides total flow control functionality, duplicating the operating characteristic of a globe valve. This novel configuration eliminates all moving parts, stem, packing and metallic flow control sealing surfaces typically associated with a globe valve design. These attributes provide a technical advance capable of performing flow control in the aggressive environment associated with molten salts (i.e., high temperature, radiation and corrosion). One of the most significant advantages of heat transfer by heat pipe is the characteristic of nearly isothermal phase change heat transfer, which makes these devices the ideal candidates. The nature of isothermal heat transport results in an extremely high thermal conductance. Benefits: Provides all the functionality of globe valve operation while eliminating metal-to-metal sealing surfaces, moving parts, and pressure boundary penetration seal. Applications: Valves servicing the power and manufacturing industries utilizing molten salt flows. Development Status: TRL 3. Technology is undergoing proof-of-concept, further testing required. IP Status: Patent Application No. 63/117,821, “Phase-Change Valves and Related Methods,” BEA Docket No. BA-1077. INL is seeking to license the above intellectual property to a company with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Exclusive rights in defined fields of use may be available. Added value is placed on relationships with small businesses, start-up companies, and general entrepreneurship opportunities. Please visit Technology Deployment’s website at https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment for more information on working with INL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Companies interested in learning more about this licensing opportunity should contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov.