Plenum separator system for pool-type nuclear reactors

Patent · Tue Sep 23 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5151217

Sharbaugh, J E

A pool-type liquid-metal-heat-transfer nuclear reactor is described which consists of: a vertically disposed generally cylindrical reactor vessel having a closed bottom portion, and a closure head atop the reactor vessel and closing the reactor vessel; the reactor vessel enclosing the major components of the nuclear reactor which include a reactor core supported at a centrally disposed lower portion of the reactor vessel; a bottom-supported gas-plenum-forming hollow cylindrical member closed at its upper end, the hollow cylindrical member sealed to and supported by the reactor vessel; a hollow cylindrically conformed neutron shield member spaced from and radially surrounding the reactor core; separate liquid-metal plena confining liquid metal during normal reactor operation and comprising a hot upper plenum, a cold lower plenum and intermediate temperature plena; the liquid metal intakes of the liquid metal pumps positioned in the cold lower plenum with the cooler liquid metal therein being pumped upwardly through the reactor core to be heated and exit therefrom in a turbulent fashion; and the liquid metal intakes of the heat exchangers positioned within the hot upper plenum and the liquid metal discharges of the heat exchangers positioned within the cold lower plenum to discharge cooled liquid metal into the cold lower plenum.

• Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
• Patent Number(s): US 4613478
• OSTI ID: 5151217
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210500* -- Power Reactors
Breeding
BAFFLES
BARYONS
CONTAINERS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
FERMIONS
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUIDS
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
HADRONS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT TRANSFER
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
LIQUID METALS
LIQUIDS
METALS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
POOL TYPE REACTORS
PUMPS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR VESSELS
REACTORS
SHIELDS
SPACE DEPENDENCE
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS