US 6,721,383 B2 · Maximum extended load line limit analysis for a boiling water nuclear reactor

Abstract

A computerized method for expanding the operating domain of a boiling water nuclear reactor that permits safe operation of the reactor at core flows lower than normal operating parameters is provided. The operating domain is characterized by a map of the reactor thermal power and core flow. The computerized method includes determining by computer simulation a load line characteristic that is elevated over normal operating parameters and that increases reactor performance over normal operating parameters, performing safety evaluations by computer simulation at the elevated load line to determine compliance with safety design parameters, and performing operational evaluations by computer simulation at the elevated load line.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A computerized method for expanding an operating domain of a boiling water nuclear reactor, the operating domain characterized by a map of a reactor thermal power and a core flow, the reactor comprising a core having a control rod pattern, said method comprising:

determining by computer simulation an elevated load line characteristic that permits operation of the reactor between about 120 percent of rated thermal power at about 85 percent of rated core flow to about 100 percent of rated thermal power at about 55 percent of rated core flow;
performing safety evaluations by computer simulation at the elevated load line to determine compliance with safety design parameters;
and
performing operational evaluations by computer simulation at the elevated load line.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Maximum extended load line limit analysis for a boiling water nuclear reactor

Life of this patent

Maximum extended load line limit analysis for a boiling water nuclear reactor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12