G21D1/006

Controlling a power output of a nuclear reaction without control rods

A nuclear power system includes a reactor vessel that includes a reactor core that includes nuclear fuel assemblies configured to generate a nuclear fission reaction. A representative nuclear power system further includes a riser positioned above the reactor core and a primary coolant flow path that extends from a bottom portion of the reactor vessel, through the reactor core, and through an annulus between the riser and the reactor vessel. A primary coolant circulates through the primary coolant flow path to receive heat from the nuclear fission reaction and release the heat to a power generation system configured to generate electric power. The nuclear power system further includes a control rod assembly system positioned in the reactor vessel and configured to position control rods in only two discrete positions.

REVERSE STEAM GENERATOR FOR A LEAD-COOLED FAST REACTOR

Reverse steam generator for a lead-cooled fast reactor. The reverse steam generator comprises a cylindrical body with a bundle of heat exchange tubes located inside, the ends of the heat exchange tubes being fixed in tube sheets with intermediate support grids; inlet and outlet spherical chambers for supplying liquid metal coolant; a lower branch pipe for inlet water; and an upper branch pipe for a steam outlet. The cylindrical body is arranged horizontally and is curved in a Z-shape with a difference in height. The bundle of heat exchange tubes is also made in a Z-shape, repeating the bend of the cylindrical body.

Connector for fastening a steam generator to a flow mixing header in an integral nuclear reactor

The present invention relates to a connecting apparatus for a steam generator disposed between a steam generator and a flow mixing header to fasten the steam generator to the flow mixing header in a sealed manner, and an integral reactor including the same. Fastening the steam generator to the flow mixing header in a sealing manner includes: a base plate mounted on the flow mixing header having a through hole formed at the center thereof; and a steam generator connecting portion protruding along the circumference of the through hole in the base plate allowing an outlet of the steam generator to be inserted and fastened thereto. Since the connection for the steam generator is tightly fastened to the flow mixing header, leakage of a coolant therebetween is prevented, and since the steam generator is horizontally disposed in the flow mixing header, structural stabilization may be achieved.

Direct heat exchanger for molten chloride fast reactor

A molten chloride fast reactor (MCFR) includes a plurality of reflectors defining a central core having a core geometric center. A flow channel fluidically connected to the central core. The flow channel includes an outlet flow channel downstream of the central core and an inlet flow channel upstream from the central core. A primary heat exchanger (PHX) disposed outside the central core and between the outlet flow channel and the inlet flow channel. The MCFR also includes a decay heat heat exchanger (DHHX). At least a portion of the DHHX is disposed above the core geometric center, and a fuel salt is configured to circulate at least partially through the outlet flow channel, the DHHX, the PHX, the inlet flow channel, and the central core.

STEAM GENERATOR ACCIDENT MITIGATION SYSTEM

A steam generator accident mitigation system is disclosed. A steam generator accident mitigation system to mitigate an accident if the accident occurs in a steam generator installed inside a containment building of a nuclear power plant according to an exemplary embodiment of the present system, the system including: a pressurizing tank which is installed inside the containment building and includes a first cooling water and a non-condensable gas for pressurizing the first cooling water therein; at least one connecting pipe connecting the steam generator and the pressurizing tank; and at least one connecting pipe valve which is installed in the at least one connecting pipe, respectively, and is able to control the amount of opening of the connecting pipe; wherein opening of the at least one connecting pipe valve permits fluid communication between the steam generator and the pressurizing tank.

PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER MODULE FOR WHICH THE CHANNELS INTEGRATE AS INPUT A UNIFORM FLOW DISTRIBUTION ZONE AND A FLUID BIFURCATION ZONE

A heat exchanger module with a longitudinal axis including a stack of plates defining at least two fluid circuits, at least a portion of the plates each including fluid circulation channels each delimited, at least in part, by a groove. A communication is produced between the channels within a same plate and between all the plates of a same circuit, in a feed or pre-collector zone, with a succession of channel groupings, two-by-two, in the form of bifurcations.

METHOD OF DETECTING AN EXISTENCE OF A LOOSE PART IN A STEAM GENERATOR OF A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
20210241931 · 2021-08-05 · ·

A plurality of signal anomalies are identified in a number of tubes in a steam generator. Since the geometry of the steam generator is known, the location of each signal anomaly along each tube is converted into a location within the interior of the steam generator. If a plurality of signal anomalies are at locations within the steam generator that are within a predetermined proximity of one another, such a spatial confluence of signal anomalies is determined to correspond with a loose part situated within the steam generator. Additional methodologies can be employed to confirm the existence of the loose part. Historic tube sheet transition signal data can be retrieved and subtracted from present signals in order to enable the system to ignore the relatively strong eddy current sensor signal of a tube sheet which would mask the relatively weak signal from a loose part at the tube sheet transition.

Integral reactor pressure vessel tube sheet

A thermal control system for a reactor pressure vessel comprises a plate having a substantially circular shape that is attached to a wall of the reactor pressure vessel. The plate divides the reactor pressure vessel into an upper reactor pressure vessel region and a lower reactor pressure vessel region. Additionally, the plate is configured to provide a thermal barrier between a pressurized volume located within the upper reactor pressure vessel region and primary coolant located within the lower reactor pressure vessel region. One or more plenums provide a passageway for a plurality of heat transfer tubes to pass fluid through the wall of the reactor pressure vessel. The plurality of heat transfer tubes are connected to the plate.

Removing heat from a nuclear reactor by having molten fuel pass through plural heat exchangers before returning to core

This disclosure describes various configurations and components of a molten fuel fast or thermal nuclear reactor in which one or more primary heat exchangers are located above the reactor core of the nuclear reactor.

CORROSION RESISTANT MATERIAL FOR HEAT EXCHANGERS
20210241930 · 2021-08-05 ·

A heat exchanger comprises a vessel, and a ceramic-nitride material disposed within the vessel and configured to separate a first fluid and a second fluid and/or gaseous fluid, and transfer a heat from the first fluid to the second fluid and/or gaseous fluid. The ceramic-nitride material also reduces corrosion.