IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO NUCLEAR REACTOR PLANT

Patent · Wed Mar 11 04:00:00 EST 1964

OSTI ID:4060356

Cooper, A A

A reactor plant employing a pressurized coolantmoderator of a heavy water--light water mixture and operated according to the spectral shift control principle, is designed with means for easy priming of the coolant flow circuit. The means comprise a connection between the highest point of the pressure vessel and a closed pressurizer compartment containing helium. In priming the circui coolant is pumped into the pressure vessel to a low level, air is removed from the pressure vessel and circuit piping, and the pressure vessel is then filled with helium. Coolant is then pumped into the circuit until it is primed, and the reactor is started. At full operating temperature, the coolant is expanded to fill the rest of the pressure vessel, and the helium above the coolant is compressed to the required circuit pressure. The reactor may be shut down by reducing the power output; the helium expands to maintain the continuity of the coolant through the whole flow circuit. At any shutdown stage, a return to full reactor power can be effected without repriming. (D.L.C.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-18-017269
• OSTI ID: 4060356
• Report Number(s): GB 951896
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AIR
CONTROL
COOLANTS
EXPANSION
FLUID FLOW
HEAVY WATER
HELIUM
MIXING
MODERATORS
NEUTRONS
OPERATION
PIPES
PLANNING
POWER
PRESSURE
PRESSURE VESSELS
PUMPS
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
REACTORS
SHUTDOWN
SPECTRA
SPECTRAL SHIFT
STARTUP
TEMPERATURE
VARIATIONS
WATER