Team:XMU-China
Importance
Nuclear power has historically been one of the largest contributors of carbon-free electricity globally and it has significant potential to contribute to power sector decarbonization. In 2019, the world energy consumption had been more than double comparing to that 50 years ago, yet with a low nuclear power contribution at about 5%. It is believed to be one of the most promising energy which helps us to keep making a more and more developed society.
Requirement
The power generation set produces a large amount of heat while functioning well at a narrow range of temperature, so a cooling system is always necessary. In most condition, cooling water from the vast ocean runs quickly through the hot core, so as to satisfy huge need of electricity.
Problems
However, in the offshore nuclear power plant, marine organisms rush in together with the seawater. Some of them stick to the wall of cooling facility and the other might cause blockage. Therefore, they slow down speed of the water flow, decrease the efficiency of heat exchange and eventually turn out to give a strike on the power productivity.
Existing methods
Up till now, common solutions for the unexpected adhesion and blockage are mechanical removal and/or sodium hypochlorite disinfection. The time-consuming physical method has a low level of automation, and it need to be done frequently. Sodium hypochlorite might have a negative impact to the environment at a high concentration, yet it is helpless when some marine organisms bloom.
Our expectations
Therefore, it is our goal to work out efficient and long-lasting biological methods to guarantee a good nuclear power productivity, and make it automatic in cooperation with proper software accessories. And with the help of Vibrio natriegens, a fast-growing chassis able to live in salty environment, we not only strive for solution to the nuclear plant, but also try to convey our belief that Vibrio natriegens has a bright future in the application of marine industry.
