Modular Hybrid Thorium Molten Salt Reactor with Integrated Thermoelectric and Stirling Energy Conversion Systems
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: I have developed a modular hybrid molten salt reactor system designed to improve the efficiency, scalability, and practical deployment of nuclear energy systems through integrated multi-modal energy conversion. The reactor utilizes a molten salt fuel medium operating under low-pressure conditions and is configured to support thorium-based fuel cycles while remaining adaptable to alternative fissile or fertile materials. The system incorporates a spherical containment structure to promote uniform thermal distribution, reduce localized stress concentrations, and enhance overall thermal retention. Passive safety is achieved through inherent thermal feedback characteristics of the molten salt medium and the inclusion of a freeze plug-based drainage system, which enables automatic shutdown under abnormal operating conditions. A defining feature of the design is the integration of hybrid energy conversion pathways. Thermoelectric conversion systems are positioned to directly convert temperature differentials between the reactor structure and external cooling systems into electrical energy, providing continuous baseline power generation without reliance on moving components. In parallel, the reactor supports external heat engine systems, including Stirling engines, which utilize the reactor’s thermal output to generate additional electrical power through mechanical conversion processes. These combined systems form a cascade energy recovery framework in which thermal energy is extracted across multiple stages, increasing overall system efficiency compared to conventional single-mode energy conversion approaches. The integration of these systems is structured to operate externally to the primary reaction environment, preserving core safety characteristics while enhancing total energy utilization. The reactor is designed as a modular system capable of deployment across a range of power scales and operational environments, including distributed power generation, industrial applications, and continuous-load infrastructure. The architecture prioritizes system-level integration, passive safety, and adaptability, representing a departure from traditional large-scale nuclear reactor designs. This description is intended to convey the general structure and functional characteristics of the system without limiting the scope of possible implementations or variations.
Author: Monroe, Scott
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7159968224