US 5,053,190 AGranted

Water cooled nuclear reactor and pressurizer assembly

AssigneeRolls-Royce and Associates Limited

InventorsFrederick J. Gardner, Rodney Strong

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A water cooled nuclear reactor comprises a reactor core, a primary water coolant circuit and a pressurizer arranged as an integral unit in a pressure vessel. The pressure vessel is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a casing, the reactor core and primary coolant circuit are arranged in the lower chamber and the pressuriser is arranged in the upper chamber. A plurality of pipes interconnect a steam space of the pressuriser with an upper portion of the primary coolant circuit via ports in the casing. A plurality of re-entrant surge ports interconnect a water space of the pressuriser with a lower portion of the primary coolant circuit. The surge ports have low flow resistance for water from the water space to the primary coolant circuit and high flow resistance in the opposite direction.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A water cooled reactor and pressuriser assembly comprising a reactor core, a primary coolant circuit, a pressuriser, a pressure vessel, at least one vent conduit and at least one surge conduit,

the reactor core and at least a portion of the primary water coolant circuit being enclosed by the pressure vessel, the primary water coolant being arranged to cool the reactor core, the primary water coolant circuit having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being positioned below any normal effective range of water levels of the primary water coolant circuit, the upper portion being positioned above the lower portion,
the pressuriser having a water spaced and a steam space, at least a portion of the water space of the pressuriser being positioned above the upper portion of the primary water coolant circuit.
the at least one surge conduit communicating between the pressuriser and the primary water coolant circuit to connect the water space of the pressuriser with the lower portion of the primary water coolant circuit, the at least one surge conduit being arranged to have a relatively low flow resistance for water from the water space of the pressuriser to the primary water coolant circuit and a relatively high flow resistance for water from the primary water coolant circuit to the water space of the pressuriser,
the at least one vent conduit communicating between the pressuriser and the primary water coolant circuit to connect the steam space of the pressuriser with the upper portion of the primary water coolant circuit whereby the at least one vent conduit which communicates between the steam space of the pressuriser and the upper portion of the primary water coolant circuit allows excess vapour formed in the primary water coolant circuit to flow to the steam space of the pressuriser to increase the stability of the assembly.

1 more element

A water coolant integral indirect cycle boiling reactor and pressuriser assembly comprising a reactor core, a primary coolant circuit, a pressuriser, a pressure vessel, a plurality of vent conduits and at least one surge conduit,

the reactor core and at least a portion of the primary water coolant circuit being enclosed by the pressure vessel, the primary water coolant circuit being arranged to cool the reactor core, the primary water coolant circuit having an upper portion, and a lower portion, the lower portion being positioned below any normal effective range of water levels of the primary water coolant circuit, the upper portion being positioned above the lower portion,
the pressuriser having a water space and a steam space, at least a portion of the water space of the pressuriser being positioned above the upper portion of the primary water coolant circuit,
the at least one surge conduit communicating between the pressuriser and the primary water coolant circuit to connect the water space of the pressuriser with the lower portion of the primary water coolant circuit, the at least one surge conduit being arranged to have a relatively low flow resistance for water from the water space of the pressuriser to the primary water coolant circuit and a relatively high flow resistance for water from the primary water coolant circuit to the water space of the pressuriser,
the plurality of vent conduits communicating between the pressuriser and the primary water coolant circuit to connect the steam space of the pressuriser with the upper portion of the primary water coolant circuit, each of the plurality of vent conduits extending into the primary water coolant circuit to a different elevation, the plurality of vent conduits allowing excess vapour formed in the primary water coolant circuit to flow to the steam space of the pressuriser to increase the stability of the assembly, the plurality of vent conduits controlling the effective water level in the primary water coolant circuit.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/333,975Filed 6 Apr 1989
Priority: GB 880870713 Apr 1988
Granted: 1 Oct 1991
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G21C 1/322
Integral reactors, i.e. reactors wherein parts functionally associated with the reactor but not essential to the reaction, e.g. heat exchangers,…:…
G21C 1/09
Moderator being highly pressurised, e.g. boiling water reactor, integral super-heat reactor, pressurised water reactor: pressure regulating…
G21C 15/18
Cooling arrangements within the pressure vessel containing the core; Selection of specific coolants: emergency cooling arrangements; Removing…
Y02E 30/30
Energy generation of nuclear origin: nuclear fission reactors