Patent classifications
G21C17/035
DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE BASED LEVEL MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS
A fluid level measurement system, including an instrument line configured for installation within a fluid storage tank or vessel, the instrument line having a first end configured to be installed below a fluid level of the storage tank and a second end configured to be installed above the fluid level of the storage tank, the first end including a first pressure diaphragm plate configured to communicate with fluid within the storage tank, a pressure sensor configured to be connected to the second end of the instrument line, and a relief valve configured to open and allow high-pressure gas in the tank to escape through a ventilation port in order to depressurize the tank until tank pressure equalizes with the surrounding atmospheric pressure.
Gravity-based, non-invasive reactor system and method for coolant inventory monitoring
A gravity-based, non-invasive method of measuring a level of fluid in a container comprises use of at least one gravity meter located as proximate a center of mass of the fluid as possible. In a nuclear reactor system a method for monitoring the level of fluid in a nuclear reactor module, a report of a loss or gain of fluid within a cylindrical module may be generated from capturing a time series of gravity data from a first gravity meter mounted as an upper gravity meter and a second gravity meter mounted as a lower gravity meter, for example, proximate a cylindrical nuclear reactor module so as not to require any invasive conduit through, for example, a containment pressure vessel (CPV) or a reactor pressure vessel (RPV). In one embodiment, the upper and lower gravity meters are mounted on stable mounts as close to the fluid in the module as possible within a coolant pool or a structure containing cooled air. If a coolant pool of water surrounds a nuclear reactor module, the meters may be housed within a dry housing in the coolant pool such that the meters may be accessed from above the coolant pool and are located as close as possible to the reactor module and its contained mass of fluid.
SAFETY SYSTEM
A coolant injection system for a nuclear power generation system includes the coolant injection system, and method of operation of the coolant injection system. The nuclear power generation system includes a reactor pressure vessel having a reactor core, a pressuriser in fluid communication with the reactor pressure vessel, and the injection system, which comprises a make-up tank having a tank inlet and a tank outlet. The injection system has an operating condition, and a fault response condition, and is configured to switch between these conditions when coolant level in the pressuriser drops below a threshold level. In the operating condition, the tank outlet is isolated from the reactor pressure vessel such that coolant is retained in the make-up tank, and the tank inlet is in fluid communication with the reactor pressure vessel and the pressuriser.
ISOLATION CONDENSER SYSTEMS FOR VERY SIMPLIFIED BOILING WATER REACTORS
Nuclear reactors include isolation condenser systems that can be selectively connected with the reactor to provide desired cooling and pressure relief. Isolation condensers are immersed in a separate chamber holding coolant to which the condenser can transfer heat from the nuclear reactor. The chamber may selectively connect to an adjacent coolant reservoir for multiple isolation condensers. A check valve may permit coolant to flow only from the reservoir to the isolation condenser. A passive switch can operate the check valve and other isolating components. Isolation condensers can be activated by opening an inlet and outlet to/from the reactor for coolant flow. Fluidic controls and/or a pressure pulse transmitter may monitor reactor conditions and selectively activate individual isolation condensers by opening such flows. Isolation condenser systems may be positioned outside of containment in an underground silo with the containment, which may not have any other coolant source.
PRIMARY SODIUM PUMP BYPASS INSTRUMENTATION MODULES
In a sodium fast reactor, a bypass pipe is fluidly coupled to the primary sodium pump discharge and diverts a portion of the primary sodium coolant to an instrument assembly. The bypass pipe routes flowing sodium upward toward the reactor head where it fluidly couples to the instrument assembly. The instrument assembly includes an instrument tank and selectively swappable instrument modules. The instrument modules can be configured to measure flow, pressure, temperature, and fluid level, among other things. The instrument assembly is located relatively close to the reactor head and close to the sodium level in the sodium pool and is accessible from above the reactor head for quick and efficient removal and replacement of the entire instrument assembly or individual instruments.
Reactor state monitoring apparatus and monitoring method thereof
A reactor state monitoring apparatus including: a first gamma ray-dose measurement device that detects and measures an atmospheric radiation dose caused by radioactive substances on a containment vessel side respective to a biological shielding wall surrounding a pressure vessel and outside the pressure vessel; a second gamma ray-dose measurement device that detects and measures a radiation dose on the pressure vessel side respective to the biological shielding wall; a fuel radiation measuring device that detects and measures a radiation dose of fuel in the pressure vessel; and a water amount evaluation device that calculates a difference between radiation doses measured by the fuel radiation measuring device and the first gamma ray-dose measurement device as a corrected fuel radiation dose, and acquires a cooling water level as a water level evaluation value, based on the radiation dose measured by the second gamma ray-dose measurement device and the corrected fuel radiation dose.
Reactor state monitoring apparatus and monitoring method thereof
A reactor state monitoring apparatus including: a first gamma ray-dose measurement device that detects and measures an atmospheric radiation dose caused by radioactive substances on a containment vessel side respective to a biological shielding wall surrounding a pressure vessel and outside the pressure vessel; a second gamma ray-dose measurement device that detects and measures a radiation dose on the pressure vessel side respective to the biological shielding wall; a fuel radiation measuring device that detects and measures a radiation dose of fuel in the pressure vessel; and a water amount evaluation device that calculates a difference between radiation doses measured by the fuel radiation measuring device and the first gamma ray-dose measurement device as a corrected fuel radiation dose, and acquires a cooling water level as a water level evaluation value, based on the radiation dose measured by the second gamma ray-dose measurement device and the corrected fuel radiation dose.
Nuclear Reactor Fluid Level Control System
A molten salt reactor system includes a fluid level control system configured to circulate a molten salt through a molten salt loop including an experimental tank, a sump tank, and a drain tank. The fluid level control system further includes a plurality of level sensors, pressure transducers, and electronic pressure regulators fluidically coupled with the fuel salt system. The fluid level control system is configured to receive cover gas pressures in the headspaces of the tanks and calculate target fluid height setpoints for each of the tanks. The fluid level control system further invokes the electronic pressure regulator to iteratively adjust the cover gas pressures of the tanks to achieve and maintain a target fluid level in the experimental tank.
Nuclear Reactor Fluid Level Control System
A molten salt reactor system includes a fluid level control system configured to circulate a molten salt through a molten salt loop including an experimental tank, a sump tank, and a drain tank. The fluid level control system further includes a plurality of level sensors, pressure transducers, and electronic pressure regulators fluidically coupled with the fuel salt system. The fluid level control system is configured to receive cover gas pressures in the headspaces of the tanks and calculate target fluid height setpoints for each of the tanks. The fluid level control system further invokes the electronic pressure regulator to iteratively adjust the cover gas pressures of the tanks to achieve and maintain a target fluid level in the experimental tank.
GRAVITY-BASED, NON-INVASIVE REACTOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COOLANT INVENTORY MONITORING
A gravity-based, non-invasive method of measuring a level of fluid in a container comprises use of at least one gravity meter located as proximate a center of mass of the fluid as possible. In a nuclear reactor system a method for monitoring the level of fluid in a nuclear reactor module, a report of a loss or gain of fluid within a cylindrical module may be generated from capturing a time series of gravity data from a first gravity meter mounted as an upper gravity meter and a second gravity meter mounted as a lower gravity meter, for example, proximate a cylindrical nuclear reactor module so as not to require any invasive conduit through, for example, a containment pressure vessel (CPV) or a reactor pressure vessel (RPV). In one embodiment, the upper and lower gravity meters are mounted on stable mounts as close to the fluid in the module as possible within a coolant pool or a structure containing cooled air. If a coolant pool of water surrounds a nuclear reactor module, the meters may be housed within a dry housing in the coolant pool such that the meters may be accessed from above the coolant pool and are located as close as possible to the reactor module and its contained mass of fluid.