Propellant actuated nuclear reactor steam depressurization valve
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsAlan C. Ehrke, John B. Knepp, George I. Skoda
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A nuclear fission reactor combined with a propellant actuated depressurization and/or water injection valve is disclosed. The depressurization valve releases pressure from a water cooled, steam producing nuclear reactor when required to insure the safety of the reactor. Depressurization of the reactor pressure vessel enables gravity feeding of supplementary coolant water through the water injection valve to the reactor pressure vessel to prevent damage to the fuel core.
Claims9
A nuclear fission reactor plant having a depressurization and/or water injection system comprising the combination including:
- a nuclear reactor pressure vessel containing a heat producing core of fissionable nuclear fuel material and coolant water for submerging the heat producing fuel core and circulating through the pressure vessel to produce steam and transfer heat energy away from the fuel core, said reactor pressure vessel having a steam/coolant loop comprising a steam outlet from the pressure vessel for supplying produced steam to perform work, and a condensed coolant water inlet for returning coolant water from expended and condensed steam to the reactor pressure vessel;
- and,
- a nuclear reactor pressure vessel depressurization system comprising a pressure releasing conduit extending from an exhaust nozzle in the reactor pressure vessel to an open discharge end, and a propellant actuated, fast-acting valve means imposed in the pressure releasing conduit between the reactor pressure vessel nozzle and discharge end, said propellant actuated valve means comprising a diaphragm seal for blocking fluid flow through the valve means and a propellant for breaking free the diaphragm seal and thereby enabling fluid flow through the pressure releasing conduit from the reactor pressure vessel, therein depressurizing the reactor pressure vessel, and comprising a water injection conduit extending from a water supply to the reactor vessel and a propellant actuated valve imposed in the water injection conduit.
A nuclear fission reactor plant having a depressurization system comprising the combination including:
- a nuclear reactor pressure vessel housed within a containment structure and containing a heat producing core of fissionable nuclear fuel material and coolant water for submerging the heat producing fuel core and circulating through the pressure vessel to produce steam and to transfer heat energy away from the fuel core, said reactor pressure vessel having a steam/coolant loop comprising a steam outlet from the pressure vessel for supplying steam to perform work, and a condensed coolant water inlet for returning coolant water from expended and condensed steam to the reactor pressure vessel;
- and,
- a water cooled nuclear fission reactor pressure vessel depressurization system comprising a pressure releasing conduit extending from an exhaust nozzle in the nuclear reactor pressure vessel or from the steam/coolant loop to an open discharge end, and a propellant actuated fast-acting valve means imposed in the pressure releasing conduit said propellant actuated valve means comprising a diaphragm seal integrally joined with a component of the valve means for blocking fluid flow through the valve means, said diaphragm seal having an encircling portion of reduced thickness providing a shear section around the periphery of the diaphragm seal and a propellant for breaking free the diaphragm seal about the shear section and thereby enabling fluid flow through the pressure releasing conduit from the reactor pressure vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.