Nuclear reactor having a polyhedral primary shield and removable vessel insulation

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:869060

Ekeroth, Douglas E ^[1]; Orr, Richard ^[2]

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1. Delmont, PA
2. Pittsburgh, PA

A nuclear reactor is provided having a generally cylindrical reactor vessel disposed within an opening in a primary shield. The opening in the primary shield is defined by a plurality of generally planar side walls forming a generally polyhedral-shaped opening. The reactor vessel is supported within the opening in the primary shield by reactor vessel supports which are in communication and aligned with central portions of some of the side walls. The reactor vessel is connected to the central portions of the reactor vessel supports. A thermal insulation polyhedron formed from a plurality of slidably insertable and removable generally planar insulation panels substantially surrounds at least a portion of the reactor vessel and is disposed between the reactor vessel and the side walls of the primary shield. The shape of the insulation polyhedron generally corresponds to the shape of the opening in the primary shield. Reactor monitoring instrumentation may be mounted in the corners of the opening in the primary shield between the side walls and the reactor vessel such that insulation is not disposed between the instrumentation and the reactor vessel.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-90SF18495
• Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp. (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5268944
• OSTI ID: 869060
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

nuclear
reactor
polyhedral
primary
shield
removable
vessel
insulation
provided
cylindrical
disposed
defined
plurality
planar
walls
forming
polyhedral-shaped
supported
supports
communication
aligned
central
portions
connected
thermal
polyhedron
formed
slidably
insertable
panels
substantially
surrounds
portion
shape
corresponds
monitoring
instrumentation
mounted
corners
central portions
primary shield
walls forming
thermal insulation
reactor vessel
nuclear reactor
central portion
insulation panel
vessel disposed
vessel support
reactor monitoring
cylindrical reactor
reactor monitor
walls form
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