Self-actuated nuclear reactor shutdown system using induction pump to facilitate sensing of core coolant temperature
- N. Huntingdon, PA
- Churchill, PA
- Greensburg, PA
A self-actuated shutdown system incorporated into a reactivity control assembly in a nuclear reactor includes pumping means for creating an auxiliary downward flow of a portion of the heated coolant exiting from the fuel assemblies disposed adjacent to the control assembly. The shutdown system includes a hollow tubular member which extends through the outlet of the control assembly top nozzle so as to define an outer annular flow channel through the top nozzle outlet separate from an inner flow channel for primary coolant flow through the control assembly. Also, a latching mechanism is disposed in an inner duct of the control assembly and is operable for holding absorber bundles in a raised position in the control assembly and for releasing them to drop them into the core of the reactor for shutdown purposes. The latching mechanism has an inner flow passage extending between and in flow communication with the absorber bundles and the inner flow channel of the top nozzle for accommodating primary coolant flow upwardly through the control assembly. Also, an outer flow passage separate from the inner flow passage extends through the latching mechanism between and in flow communication with the inner duct and the outer flow channel of the top nozzle for accommodating inflow of a portion of the heated coolant from the adjacent fuel assemblies. The latching mechanism contains a magnetic material sensitive to temperature and operable to cause mating or latching together of the components of the latching mechanism when the temperature sensed is below a known temperature and unmating or unlatching thereof when the temperature sensed is above a given temperature. The temperature sensitive magnetic material is positioned in communication with the heated coolant flow through the outer flow passage for directly sensing the temperature thereof. Finally, the pumping means includes a jet induction pump nozzle and diffuser disposed adjacent the bottom nozzle of the control assembly and in flow communication with the inlet thereof. The pump nozzle is operable to create an upward driving flow of primary coolant through the pump diffuser and then to the absorber bundles. The upward driving flow of primary coolant, in turn, creates a suction head within the outer flow channel of the top nozzle and thereby an auxiliary downward flow of the heated coolant portion exiting from the upper end of the adjacent fuel assemblies through the outer flow channel to the pump nozzle via the outer flow passage of the latching mechanism and an annular space between the outer and inner spaced ducts of the control assembly housing. The temperature of the heated coolant exiting from the adjacent fuel assemblies can thereby be sensed directly by the temperature sensitive magnetic material in the latching mechanism.
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AM02-76CH94000
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4698200
- OSTI ID:
- 866385
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
nuclear
reactor
shutdown
induction
pump
facilitate
sensing
core
coolant
temperature
incorporated
reactivity
control
assembly
pumping
means
creating
auxiliary
downward
flow
portion
heated
exiting
fuel
assemblies
disposed
adjacent
hollow
tubular
extends
outlet
top
nozzle
define
outer
annular
channel
separate
inner
primary
latching
mechanism
duct
operable
holding
absorber
bundles
raised
position
releasing
drop
purposes
passage
extending
communication
accommodating
upwardly
inflow
contains
magnetic
material
sensitive
mating
components
sensed
below
unmating
unlatching
positioned
directly
finally
jet
diffuser
bottom
inlet
create
upward
driving
creates
suction
head
upper
via
space
spaced
ducts
housing
coolant flow
reactivity control
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