Staged depressurization system
A nuclear reactor having a reactor vessel disposed in a containment shell is depressurized in stages using depressurizer valves coupled in fluid communication with the coolant circuit. At least one sparger submerged in the in-containment refueling water storage tank which can be drained into the containment sump communicates between one or more of the valves and an inside of the containment shell. The depressurizer valves are opened in stages, preferably at progressively lower coolant levels and for opening progressively larger flowpaths to effect depressurization through a number of the valves in parallel. The valves can be associated with a pressurizer tank in the containment shell, coupled to a coolant outlet of the reactor. At least one depressurization valve stage openable at a lowest pressure is coupled directly between the coolant circuit and the containment shell. The reactor is disposed in the open sump in the containment shell, and a further valve couples the open sump to a conduit coupling the refueling water storage tank to the coolant circuit for adding water to the coolant circuit, whereby water in the containment shell can be added to the reactor from the open sump. 4 figures.
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-90SF18495
- Assignee:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5259008; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-903413
- OSTI ID:
- 5377419
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 24 Jun 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
DEPRESSURIZATION SYSTEMS
DESIGN
REACTORS
AUXILIARY WATER SYSTEMS
CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS
DEPRESSURIZATION
PRESSURE VESSELS
PRIMARY COOLANT CIRCUITS
AUXILIARY SYSTEMS
CONTAINERS
CONTAINMENT
COOLING SYSTEMS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENGINEERED SAFETY SYSTEMS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
220200* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Components & Accessories