Forced-circulation reactor with enhanced natural circulation

Patent · Tue Jun 09 04:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:7232950

Marquino, W; Kobsa, I R; Pallette, J R

This patent describes a forced-circulation dual-phase reactor. It comprises a reactor vessel; a reactor core disposed within the vessel and defining a core inlet plenum below the core; a chimney means disposed above the core for guiding fluid exiting upward from the core along a substantially vertical path so as to support a steam/water column therein; a fluid return path from the chimney means to the core inlet plenum; pump means for controllably enhancing a pressure differential along the fluid return path so as to urge fluid along the fluid return path for recirculating fluid through the core; and valve means for opening a bypass for fluid to flow from the fluid return path to the core inlet plenum without passing through the pump means.

• Assignee: General Electric Co., San Jose, CA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 5120493
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-716024
• OSTI ID: 7232950
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220200* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
42 ENGINEERING
420400 -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
CONVECTION
COOLING SYSTEMS
DUAL CYCLE COOLING SYSTEMS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUID FLOW
FORCED CONVECTION
HEAT TRANSFER
MASS TRANSFER
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
REACTOR CORES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS