Nuclear reactor sealing system
A liquid metal-cooled nuclear reactor sealing system. The nuclear reactor includes a vessel sealed at its upper end by a closure head. The closure head comprises at least two components, one of which is rotatable; and the two components define an annulus therebetween. The sealing system includes at least a first and second inflatable seal disposed in series in an upper portion of the annulus. The system further includes a dip seal extending into a body of insulation located adjacent a bottom portion of the closure head. The dip seal comprises a trough formed by a lower portion of one of the components, and a seal blade pendently supported from the other component and extending downwardly into the trough. A body of liquid metal is contained in the trough which submerges a portion of the seal blade. The seal blade is provided with at least one aperture located above the body of liquid metal for providing fluid communication between the annulus intermediate the dip seal and the inflatable seals, and a body of cover gas located inside the vessel. There also is provided means for introducing a purge gas into the annulus intermediate the inflatable seals and the seal blade. The purge gas is introduced in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce diffusion of radioactive cover gas or sodium vapor up to the inflatable seals. The purge gas mixes with the cover gas in the reactor vessel where it can be withdrawn from the vessel for treatment and recycle to the vessel.
- Research Organization:
- Rockwell International Corporation, El Sequndo, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT03-76SF76026
- Assignee:
- Rockwell International Corporation (El Sequndo, CA)
- Patent Number(s):
- 4,401,619
- Application Number:
- 06/219,560
- OSTI ID:
- 864686
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 1980 Dec 23
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
reactor
sealing
liquid
metal-cooled
vessel
sealed
upper
closure
head
comprises
components
rotatable
define
annulus
therebetween
inflatable
seal
disposed
series
portion
dip
extending
insulation
located
adjacent
bottom
trough
formed
blade
pendently
supported
component
downwardly
metal
contained
submerges
provided
aperture
providing
fluid
communication
intermediate
seals
cover
gas
inside
means
introducing
purge
introduced
amount
sufficient
substantially
reduce
diffusion
radioactive
sodium
vapor
mixes
withdrawn
treatment
recycle
liquid metal-cooled
bottom portion
purge gas
located inside
reactor vessel
nuclear reactor
liquid metal
upper portion
fluid communication
amount sufficient
located adjacent
cooled nuclear
cover gas
substantially reduce
closure head
dip seal
components define
sodium vapor
seal comprises
metal-cooled nuclear
providing fluid
reactor sealing
extending downwardly
inflatable seal
gas mixes
pendently supported
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