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TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Ohmic Heating Internal Heat Generation This method produces natural circulation in a nuclear reactor model. Opportunity: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), managed and o... TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Ohmic Heating Internal Heat Generation This method produces natural circulation in a nuclear reactor model. 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 this heat generation technology. 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. Description: This invention is a methodology to demonstrate and study natural circulation driven by internal heat generation that mimics Neutronically Fissioning internal heat generation of a dissolved fuel molten salt natural circulation nuclear battery. The novelty includes providing a geometry that has the correct aspect ratios, which includes height ratio for the MsNB, and properly scaled radius ratios for the core, as well as the heat exchangers and the downcomer. It involves using a conducting fluid 25 wt% saltwater solution, which was used in the tests, but other concentrations are and fluids are also acceptable) and the introduction of a current between two electrodes to produce volumetrically heated fluid. Because the specific geometry of the system can minimize the pressure drop, the buoyancy head of the core and chimney versus the static head of the downcomer causes natural circulation within the system. This creates a greatly simplified system requiring no pumps or valves. Benefits: Cost reduction for heat generation. Applications: Nuclear reactor heat generation. Development Status: TRL 7. This technology is in full-scale prototypical demonstration. IP Status: Provisional Patent No. 63/261,774, “Fluid Flow Simulation Device and Associate Methods,” BEA Docket No. BA-1244 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.