Nuclear reactor

Patent · Tue Dec 27 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6417874

Veronesi, L

This patent describes a method of operating a nuclear reactor having a vessel, a nuclear core within the vessel, at least an inlet nozzle and an outlet nozzle, and control-rod assemblies within a plenum within the vessel. The method includes conducting a coolant through the core and through the control-rod assemblies in the plenum, the coolant flowing at a high velocity through the core, reducing the velocity of the coolant as it flows through the plenum by the step of expanding the volume through the coolant flows through the plenum over substantially the whole volume of the plenum. The volume-expanding step includes the step of compensating for the pressure variation of the coolant along the plenum between the generally lower regions of the plenum and the generally upper regions of the plenum, and thereafter conducting the coolant through the outlet nozzle.

• Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
• Patent Number(s): US 4793966
• OSTI ID: 6417874
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220200 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
220400* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Control Systems
CONTAINERS
CONTROL
CONTROL ELEMENTS
COOLANTS
COOLING SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRAULICS
MECHANICS
NOZZLES
OPERATION
PRESSURE CONTROL
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR OPERATION
REACTOR VESSELS