초록 ▼

A self-actuating passive pressure relief device for nuclear reactor containments is described. The pressure relief device passively releases gases from within a reactor containment when the containment pressure exceeds a designated threshold pressure. The pressure relief device automatically reseals

A self-actuating passive pressure relief device for nuclear reactor containments is described. The pressure relief device passively releases gases from within a reactor containment when the containment pressure exceeds a designated threshold pressure. The pressure relief device automatically reseals itself when the containment pressure drops below the threshold pressure. Any containment gases that are vented by the pressure relief device from the containment are scrubbed and cleansed before they are released into the atmosphere. To accomplish this, a sealed fluid chamber is placed in direct communication with the reactor containment for holding a liquid material such as water. A standpipe having its lower end extend into the sealed container and has an opening below the normal operating liquid level within the chamber. The standpipe acts as a manometer and the liquid level within the sealed chamber is arranged such that when the threshold pressure is reached, the liquid level will fall below an opening in the standpipe thereby allowing containment gases to vent into the standpipe. The vented gases travel upward through the liquid-filled standpipe which serves to scrub the released gases. Steam within the containment gases is condensed and recirculated during prolonged releases, condensed steam is drained back into the containment.

대표청구항 ▼

A passive self-actuating pressure relief device for nuclear reactor containments having a sealing water chamber for holding water for cooling the reactor core in the event of an accident, the pressure relief device comprising: a sealed chamber for holding a liquid material, the liquid within the sea

A passive self-actuating pressure relief device for nuclear reactor containments having a sealing water chamber for holding water for cooling the reactor core in the event of an accident, the pressure relief device comprising: a sealed chamber for holding a liquid material, the liquid within the sealed chamber having a normal operating liquid level; piping means for coupling said sealed chamber to the reactor containment; an extended standpipe in fluid communication with the interior of said sealed chamber, the standpipe having a first opening within the sealed chamber at a position below the normal operating liquid level and a second opening outside of and substantially above the sealed chamber; a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the second standpipe opening and carried by the standpipe substantially above the sealed chamber; a multiplicity of recirculating drain pipes for transporting liquid between said mixing chamber and said sealed chamber and cooling the transported liquid; a moisture separator in communication with the mixing chamber for trapping water droplets that escape from the mixing chamber; and an overflow drain in fluid communication between said mixing chamber and the reactor containment sealing water chamber; whereby the normal operating liquid level within the sealed chamber is chosen to insure that when the pressure within the reactor containment surpasses a designated threshold pressure, sufficient liquid will be forced from the sealed chamber into the standpipe to cause the liquid level within the sealed chamber to fall below the first standpipe opening thereby allowing containment gases to escape from the sealed chamber into the standpipe.