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PWR decay heat removal system in which steam from the pressurizer drives a turbine which drives a pump to inject water into the reactor pressure vessel

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1805637

In conjunction with a pressurized water reactor (PWR) and a pressurizer configured to control pressure in the reactor pressure vessel, a decay heat removal system comprises a pressurized passive condenser, a turbine-driven pump connected to suction water from at least one water source into the reactor pressure vessel; and steam piping configured to deliver steam from the pressurizer to the turbine to operate the pump and to discharge the delivered steam into the pressurized passive condenser. The pump and turbine may be mounted on a common shaft via which the turbine drives the pump. The at least one water source may include a refueling water storage tank (RWST) and/or the pressurized passive condenser. A pressurizer power operated relief valve may control discharge of a portion of the delivered steam bypassing the turbine into the pressurized passive condenser to control pressure in the pressurizer.

Research Organization:
BWXT mPower, Inc., Charlotte, NC (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
NE0000583
Assignee:
BWXT mPower, Inc. (Charlotte, NC)
Patent Number(s):
10,950,358
Application Number:
16/938,423
OSTI ID:
1805637
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English