Particulate removal system
AssigneeDominion Engineering, Inc.
InventorsRobert D. VARRIN, JR., David ARGUELLES, Michael J. LITTLE
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A particulate removal apparatus and method are used to capture and remove particulates from nuclear reactor core coolant during normal operation. Bottom nozzle, particulate removal apparatus and top nozzle structures form an assembly sized to be installed in place of a nuclear fuel assembly. The particulate removal achieved reduces the inventory of corrosion product deposits, foreign objects and other particulates in the reactor coolant system. This in turn reduces activation or deposition of particulates on fuel cladding, with a corresponding improvement in fuel reliability and reduction in ex-core radiation fields.
Claims27
A method for removing corrosion product deposits and particulates from recirculating primary coolant in a nuclear plant comprising:
- operating the nuclear plant with a particulate removal apparatus in a core of the nuclear plant, the particulate removal apparatus being installed in place of at least a part of a standard fuel assembly.
An apparatus configured and arranged for installation in a nuclear reactor during operation of the nuclear reactor and further configured and arranged to remove corrosion product deposits and particulate from a primary circuit of a nuclear power plant comprising:
- an upstream nozzle, configured and arranged to receive coolant flow containing particulate contaminants from the primary circuit of the nuclear power plant;
- a particulate removal apparatus in fluid communication with the upstream nozzle and configured to remove at least a portion of the particulate contaminants as the coolant flows through the particulate removal apparatus;
- and
- a downstream nozzle, in fluid communication with the particulate removal apparatus and configured and arranged to receive coolant flow therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.