Induced nuclear reactions: processes – systems – and elements – Reactor protection or damage prevention – Pressure suppression and relief
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-08
2001-02-06
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3641)
Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements
Reactor protection or damage prevention
Pressure suppression and relief
C376S284000, C376S285000, C376S290000, C376S293000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185269
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to nuclear energy power plants and in particular, to a liquid metal reactor power block.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Over the past several years, liquid metal nuclear reactors for commercial production of nuclear power have been under development. Typically, economies of scale drive new nuclear plant configuration toward large, standalone structures. Commercialization of new reactor technology such as liquid metal reactors usually depends on a stepwise demonstration of isolated plant systems at a reduced scale, followed by scale-up to a fully-integrated, large-scale commercial plant. However, stepwise demonstration and testing of plant systems is a costly and time-consuming process. It would be desirable to provide a liquid metal reactor plant configuration of reduced scale which would reduce the cost, risk and time required for full scale testing and demonstration of fully-integrated liquid metal reactors. It would also be desirable to provide a modular liquid metal reactor plant configuration to facilitate liquid metal reactor plant scale-up.
Known modular liquid metal reactor plant configurations exist, but are limited in that they do not provide for seismic isolation of the whole reactor power block and the supporting liquid metal facilities. In one such configuration the refueling process requires the nuclear reactors to be located in underground silos so that seismic isolation is achieved only for the reactors, and only then for the reactors as individual units. Further, seismic isolation is achieved with the use of complicated pipe systems for the liquid metal and process gases, and with isolation gaps around individual reactor modules. In such known plant configurations, a seismic disturbance may still be communicated substantially through the reactor systems, multiplying the damaging effects with potentially disastrous results. The utilization of underground reactor silos, isolation gaps and complicated pipe systems also substantially increases the size, complexity and costs of the reactor plants. It would be desirable to provide a simple and compact modular liquid metal reactor plant configuration with improved seismic isolation. It would be further desirable to provide such a configuration as a substantially above ground structure.
In addition, known modular plant configurations are limited by the requirement that containment structures be able to bear high containment pressure loads. The metal domes used for containment in known modular plant configurations are costly, complicated, and interfere with access for reactor maintenance. It would be desirable to provide a modular liquid metal reactor plant configuration which reduces the requirements and cost of the containment structure by reducing the containment pressure load. It would be further desirable to provide such a reactor plant configuration with access space for maintenance, repair and replacement of reactor components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects may be attained by a seismically isolated, liquid metal reactor power block. In one embodiment, the power block includes two nuclear islands supported on a common seismic isolation platform. The nuclear islands are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of a common liquid metal service facility servicing both nuclear islands. Each nuclear island includes a containment structure which encloses a volume of atmosphere over the reactor representing an internal pressure relief volume. A containment pressure relief system connects the pressure relief volume of each containment structure with a common containment volume in the liquid metal service facility to reduce the pressure load on each individual containment structure. The power block building structure is located substantially above grade level.
The liquid metal reactor power block described herein provides a compact, reduced cost plant configuration. The modular configuration provides for simple scale-up of plant power output by addition of power blocks, thereby facilitating commercialization of liquid metal reactor technology. The symmetric arrangement of the nuclear islands and full integration of the liquid metal service facility within the power block is a simple and compact arrangement with associated reductions in cost compared to known plant configurations. Elimination of a containment dome provides needed access space for repair and maintenance of reactor systems and also facilitates refueling. The integration of the pressure relief volumes of the two containment structures and the common volume in the liquid metal service facility reduces peak containment pressure, thereby alleviating containment structure requirements and cost. In addition, seismic isolation of the liquid metal reactor power block is more effective than in known plant configurations, and is attained with a simpler, less costly configuration.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4761261 (1988-08-01), Garabedian
patent: 4859402 (1989-08-01), Tupper et al.
patent: 5158741 (1992-10-01), Boardman et al.
patent: 5223210 (1993-06-01), Hunsbedt et al.
patent: 5491730 (1996-02-01), Kataoka et al.
patent: 5706320 (1998-01-01), Boardman et al.
Armstrong Teasdale LLP
General Electric Company
Jordan Charles T.
Mun Kyongtaek K
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