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TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Microreactor Bayonet-type Heat Exchanger A heat exchanger for microreactors with a new design that enables high-pressure, high-temperature volumetrically efficient hea... TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Microreactor Bayonet-type Heat Exchanger A heat exchanger for microreactors with a new design that enables high-pressure, high-temperature volumetrically efficient heat removal. 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 bayonet-type heat exchanger. Overview: Microreactors are currently receiving significant attention for various applications including remote commercial or residential locations, military forward operating bases, and space power. This technology addresses a technical issue associated with integration of the microreactor with a power conversion unit (PCU). PCUs under consideration require heat addition to the working fluid at high pressure. Also, the long-term operational reliability of the nuclear microreactor system is a critical feature for commercial deployment. The high-pressure and high-temperature operational conditions could lead to component failure due to significant thermal fatigue. This invention provides an innovative design concept to reduce thermal stress of the heat exchanger for heat pipe-cooled nuclear microreactors. Description: This technology adopts a bayonet-style heat exchanger design with dual annular channels surrounding the condenser end of the microreactor heat pipes for high efficiency heat removal as well as reduced thermal stresses of the heat exchanger. The flow skirt structure is a key feature to provide the dual annular cooling channels. The pins and/or wire-wraps will secure the flow channels while providing heat transfer enhancement even if there is some thermal deformation of heat exchanger body, heat pipe, and flow skirt. The heat exchanger body provides a reliable pressure boundary for the high-pressure heat removal process. Benefits: The concentric cooling channels include extended surface area heat transfer enhancement structures that also serve to maintain the concentric annular geometry of the flow channels. Amenable to conventional manufacturing techniques and additive manufacturing technologies. Enables high-pressure, high-temperature volumetrically efficient heat removal. Minimizes thermal stress in the heat removal section of the microreactor. Applications: Microreactor Applications Remote commercial and residential locations Military forward operating bases Space power Other Development Status: TRL 3. The technology is undergoing validation in the laboratory. IP Status: US Provisional Patent Application No. 63/078,437, “Heat Exchangers and Related Systems and Methods,” BEA Docket No. BA-1188. 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. 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 Kala Majeti at td@inl.gov.