초록 ▼

Coolant recirculation arrangement for a nuclear reactor including a plurality of vertically oriented tubular conduits arranged in spaced relation between an unshrouded nuclear core and the inner pressure vessel wall for conducting coolant from an upper plenum above the core to a lower plenum below t

Coolant recirculation arrangement for a nuclear reactor including a plurality of vertically oriented tubular conduits arranged in spaced relation between an unshrouded nuclear core and the inner pressure vessel wall for conducting coolant from an upper plenum above the core to a lower plenum below the core.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for forcing a liquid water coolant to recirculate through an unshrouded nuclear core in a pressure vessel, said core including an array of spaced fuel assemblies supported between a lower core support member and an upper core support member, each of said fuel assemblies being fitted with a

A system for forcing a liquid water coolant to recirculate through an unshrouded nuclear core in a pressure vessel, said core including an array of spaced fuel assemblies supported between a lower core support member and an upper core support member, each of said fuel assemblies being fitted with a tubular flow channel for containing water coolant flowing therethrough; an annular lower support ring attached to said pressure vessel and connected to said lower core support member for support thereof, said lower core support member, said lower support ring and the lower part of said pressure vessel forming a lower plenum wherein said coolant can be pressurized; an upper support ring attached to said pressure vessel and connected to said upper core support member, a space in said pressure vessel above said upper core support member forming an upper plenum for containing water coolant; a plurality of coolant pressurizers within said pressure vessel each having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet; a plurality of vertically oriented elongated coolant conducting conduits positioned in radially spaced relation between said core and the inner wall of said pressure vessel and extending from the upper plenum to the lower plenum, each connected to the coolant inlet of a respective one of said coolant pressurizers and each penetrating said upper support ring for conducting coolant from said upper plenum to said coolant inlet, the coolant outlet of each coolant pressurizer being in fluid communication with said lower plenum for pressurizing the coolant therein; primary coolant passages through said lower support member for admitting pressurized coolant from said lower plenum into said fuel assemblies; and coolant outlet means at the upper end of said core for discharging liquid coolant from said core to said upper plenum whereby said coolant is recirculated from said lower plenum, through said core to said upper plenum and back to said lower plenum.