US 11,380,451 B2 · Depressurization and coolant injection systems for very simplified boiling water reactors

Abstract

Simplified nuclear reactors include depressurization systems or gravity-driven injection systems or both. The systems depressurize and cool the reactor without operator intervention and power. An underground containment building may be used with the depressurization and injection systems passing through the same from above ground. Depressurization systems may use a rupture disk, relief line, pool, and filter to open the reactor and carry coolant away for condensation and exhausting. Injection systems may use a coolant tank above the nuclear reactor to inject liquid coolant by gravity into the reactor through an injection line and valve. The rupture disk and valve may be integral with the reactor and use penetration seals where systems pass through containment. Rupture disks and valves can actuate passively, at a pressure setpoint or other condition, through fluidic controls, setpoint failure, etc. The depressurization system and injection system together feed-and-bleed coolant through the reactor.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A simplified nuclear reactor system for commercially generating electricity, the system comprising:

a nuclear reactor;
a primary coolant loop connecting to the nuclear reactor;
a containment surrounding the nuclear reactor;
and
a depressurization system including,
a coolant tank and a filter pool vertically above the nuclear reactor outside the containment and including no flow path opening into the containment outside the nuclear reactor,
an injection line crossing the containment and connecting the coolant tank and the nuclear reactor, wherein the injection line includes a closable and openable valve,
a relief line crossing the containment and connecting the filter pool and the nuclear reactor, and
a rupture disk connecting the relief line to the nuclear reactor, wherein the rupture disk is integral in a wall of the nuclear reactor so as to have material continuity with the wall, and wherein the rupture disk is configured to open the reactor at a pressure setpoint below failure of the reactor.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Depressurization and coolant injection systems for very simplified boiling water reactors

Life of this patent

Depressurization and coolant injection systems for very simplified boiling water reactors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19