Method for converting a downward flow of bypass coolant to an upward flow
AssigneeThe Babcock & Wilcox Company
InventorMatthew W. Ales
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for converting a vertically downward flow of bypass coolant through coolant flow holes in a core barrel and former plates in a nuclear reactor to a vertically upward flow. Coolant flow holes are provided in the normally solid top former plate by suitable means such as drilling. These new coolant flow holes are located so as to be substantially in coaxial alignment with the existing coolant flow holes in the intermediate and lower former plates. Existing coolant flow holes in the core barrel adajcent the top former plate are plugged. Existing coolant flow holes in the lower former plate are plugged in an alternating pattern with each fifth hole being plugged having only forty-four percent of its flow area plugged.
Claims12
A method of converting a vertically downward flow of bypass coolant through a core barrel and former plates in a nuclear reactor to a vertically upward flow, comprising:
- a. providing coolant flow holes in the top former plate substantially in coaxial alignment with existing coolant flow holes in the intermediate and lower former plates;
- b. plugging coolant flow holes in said core barrel adjacent said top former plate;
- and
- c. plugging selected coolant flow holes in the lower former plate.
A method of converting a vertically downward flow of bypass coolant through a core barrel and former plates in a nuclear reactor to a vertically upward flow, comprising:
- a. providing coolant flow holes in the top former plate substantially in coaxial alignment with existing coolant flow holes in the intermediate and lower former plates;
- b. plugging coolant flow holes in said core barrel adjacent said top former plate;
- and
- c. plugging alternate coolant fow holes in the lower former plate.
A method of converting a vertically downward flow of bypass coolant through a core barrel and former plates in a nuclear reactor to a vertically upward flow, comprising:
- a. providing coolant flow holes in the top former plate substantially in coaxial alignment with existing coolant flow holes in the intermediate and lower former plates;
- b. plugging coolant flow holes in said core barrel adjacent said top former plate;
- c. plugging alternate coolant flow holes in the lower former plate wherein every fifth coolant flow hole plugged is partially plugged.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.