Patent
1976-02-20
1980-02-05
Engle, Samuel W.
176 61, 176 65, G21C 900
Patent
active
041871472
ABSTRACT:
A recirculation system for use in pressurized water nuclear reactors to increase the output temperature of the reactor coolant, thereby achieving a significant improvement in plant efficiency without exceeding current core design limits. A portion of the hot outlet coolant is recirculated to the inlets of the peripheral fuel assemblies which operate at relatively low power levels. The outlet temperature from these peripheral fuel assemblies is increased to a temperature above that of the average core outlet. The recirculation system uses external pumps and introduces the hot recirculation coolant to the free space between the core barrel and the core baffle, where it flows downward and inward to the inlets of the peripheral fuel assemblies. In the unlikely event of a loss of coolant accident, the recirculation system flow path through the free space and to the inlets of the fuel assemblies is utilized for the injection of emergency coolant to the lower vessel and core. During emergency coolant injection, the emergency coolant is prevented from bypassing the core through the recirculation system by check valves inserted into the recirculation system piping.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3823066 (1974-07-01), Thome
patent: 3966548 (1976-06-01), Muller et al.
patent: 3976834 (1976-08-01), Bevilacqua
Braun Howard E.
Dollard Walter J.
Tower Stephen N.
Engle Samuel W.
Palo Ralph
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
Yatsko M. S.
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