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AssigneeGE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
InventorsDavid H. Hinds, Charles L. Heck
Estimating the term…
Piping loops can carry either forced or natural circulation coolant flow from and back to a reactor depending on reactor and coolant state, and can transition between the two. The loop flows into a heat exchanger that significantly cools the coolant and may even condense the coolant. The heat exchanger can drive natural circulation coolant flow, and a pump on the loop can drive forced circulation. Coolant direction may be reversed through the heat exchanger in different modes. Loops may be installed directly on existing ICSs, come off of a primary loop generating electricity commercially, or be their own loop around and penetrations to the reactor. Actuation valves may isolate and actuate the system merely by disallowing or allowing coolant flow. Different flow modes and coolant direction may be similarly achieved by pump actuation and/or valve opening/closing. Beyond the pump and simple valve actuation, loops may be entirely passive.
A method of removing heat from a nuclear reactor, the method comprising:
A method of forming and operating a heat removal system for a nuclear reactor having a condensation loop separate from a primary coolant loop, the condensation loop having a supply line from the reactor connecting to a heat exchanger at a first axial height of the reactor connecting to a return line at a second axial height of the reactor so that reactor coolant can flow from the reactor through the condensation loop and back into the reactor, the first axial height being above the second axial height, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.