Fast reactor power plant design having heat pipe heat exchanger

Patent · Thu Aug 30 00:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:5799165

Huebotter, P R; McLennan, G A

The invention relates to a pool-type fission reactor power plant design having a reactor vessel containing a primary coolant (such as liquid sodium), and a steam expansion device powered by a pressurized water/steam coolant system. Heat pipe means are disposed between the primary and water coolants to complete the heat transfer therebetween. The heat pipes are vertically oriented, penetrating the reactor deck and being directly submerged in the primary coolant. A U-tube or line passes through each heat pipe, extended over most of the length of the heat pipe and having its walls spaced from but closely proximate to and generally facing the surrounding walls of the heat pipe. The water/steam coolant loop includes each U-tube and the steam expansion device. A heat transfer medium (such as mercury) fills each of the heat pipes. The thermal energy from the primary coolant is transferred to the water coolant by isothermal evaporation-condensation of the heat transfer medium between the heat pipe and U-tube walls, the heat transfer medium moving within the heat pipe primarily transversely between these walls.

• DOE Contract Number: W-31-109-ENG-38
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Application Number: ON: DE85011669
• OSTI ID: 5799165
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
HEAT PIPES
LMFBR TYPE REACTORS
DESIGN
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT TRANSFER
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
REACTOR VESSELS
BREEDER REACTORS
CONTAINERS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
POWER PLANTS
REACTORS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
210500* - Power Reactors
Breeding