Title: Integral isolation valve systems for loss of coolant accident protection

Abstract

A nuclear reactor includes a nuclear reactor core comprising fissile material disposed in a reactor pressure vessel having vessel penetrations that exclusively carry flow into the nuclear reactor and at least one vessel penetration that carries flow out of the nuclear reactor. An integral isolation valve (IIV) system includes passive IIVs each comprising a check valve built into a forged flange and not including an actuator, and one or more active IIVs each comprising an active valve built into a forged flange and including an actuator. Each vessel penetration exclusively carrying flow into the nuclear reactor is protected by a passive IIV whose forged flange is directly connected to the vessel penetration. Each vessel penetration carrying flow out of the nuclear reactor is protected by an active IIV whose forged flange is directly connected to the vessel penetration. Each active valve may be a normally closed valve.

Inventors:

Kanuch, David J.; DiFilipo, Paul P.

Issue Date:

2020-01-07

Research Org.:

BWXT mPower, Inc., Charlotte, NC (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1632415

Patent Number(s):

10529458

Application Number:

14/337,268

Assignee:

BWXT mPower, Inc. (Charlotte, NC)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

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G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS

G21C13/02 - Details
G21C13/10 - Means for preventing contamination in the event of leakage, {e.g. double wall}
G21C15/18 - Emergency cooling arrangements
G21C15/182 - {comprising powered means, e.g. pumps}
G21C19/30 - with continuous purification of circulating fluent material, e.g. by extraction of fission products {deterioration or corrosion products, impurities, e.g. by cold traps
G21C9/00 - Emergency protection arrangements structurally associated with the reactor {, e.g. safety valves provided with pressure equalisation devices}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E30/30 - Nuclear fission reactors

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DOE Contract Number:  

NE0000583

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 07/22/2014

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS