CA3081283A1 - Fuel bundle with debris strainer - Google Patents

Fuel bundle with debris strainer Download PDF

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Publication number
CA3081283A1
CA3081283A1 CA3081283A CA3081283A CA3081283A1 CA 3081283 A1 CA3081283 A1 CA 3081283A1 CA 3081283 A CA3081283 A CA 3081283A CA 3081283 A CA3081283 A CA 3081283A CA 3081283 A1 CA3081283 A1 CA 3081283A1
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
fuel
assembly
debris
reactor
strainer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
CA3081283A
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French (fr)
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CA3081283C (en
Inventor
Timothy P. Handley
Michael J. Fox
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to CA3081283A priority Critical patent/CA3081283C/en
Publication of CA3081283A1 publication Critical patent/CA3081283A1/en
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Publication of CA3081283C publication Critical patent/CA3081283C/en
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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G21NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21CNUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C3/00Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
    • G21C3/30Assemblies of a number of fuel elements in the form of a rigid unit
    • G21C3/32Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements
    • G21C3/3206Means associated with the fuel bundle for filtering the coolant, e.g. nozzles, grids
    • GPHYSICS
    • G21NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21CNUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C17/00Monitoring; Testing ; Maintaining
    • G21C17/02Devices or arrangements for monitoring coolant or moderator
    • G21C17/022Devices or arrangements for monitoring coolant or moderator for monitoring liquid coolants or moderators
    • GPHYSICS
    • G21NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21CNUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C3/00Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
    • G21C3/30Assemblies of a number of fuel elements in the form of a rigid unit
    • G21C3/32Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements
    • G21C3/322Means to influence the coolant flow through or around the bundles
    • GPHYSICS
    • G21NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21CNUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C5/00Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator
    • G21C5/02Details
    • GPHYSICS
    • G21NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21CNUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C1/00Reactor types
    • G21C1/04Thermal reactors ; Epithermal reactors
    • G21C1/06Heterogeneous reactors, i.e. in which fuel and moderator are separated
    • G21C1/14Heterogeneous reactors, i.e. in which fuel and moderator are separated moderator being substantially not pressurised, e.g. swimming-pool reactor
    • G21C1/16Heterogeneous reactors, i.e. in which fuel and moderator are separated moderator being substantially not pressurised, e.g. swimming-pool reactor moderator and coolant being different or separated, e.g. sodium-graphite reactor, sodium-heavy water reactor or organic coolant-heavy water reactor
    • G21C1/18Heterogeneous reactors, i.e. in which fuel and moderator are separated moderator being substantially not pressurised, e.g. swimming-pool reactor moderator and coolant being different or separated, e.g. sodium-graphite reactor, sodium-heavy water reactor or organic coolant-heavy water reactor coolant being pressurised
    • G21C1/20Heterogeneous reactors, i.e. in which fuel and moderator are separated moderator being substantially not pressurised, e.g. swimming-pool reactor moderator and coolant being different or separated, e.g. sodium-graphite reactor, sodium-heavy water reactor or organic coolant-heavy water reactor coolant being pressurised moderator being liquid, e.g. pressure-tube reactor
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30Nuclear fission reactors

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Structure Of Emergency Protection For Nuclear Reactors (AREA)

Abstract

After a major reactor overhaul of a pressurized heavy water reactor with horizontal pressure tubes and cylindrical fuel bundles or after a single or multiple channel feeder replacement on this style of reactor, there is a high likelihood of foreign material remaining within the primary heat transport system. This foreign material is likely to get caught in the fuel bundles causing damage to the bundles as well as the fuel channels.
A modified 37 element fuel bundle with an integrated debris strainer assembly, referred to as "strainer assembly", temporarily installed in first bundle position at the inlet end of the fuel channel, either during manual fuel load or via the fueling machine, will temporarily funnel and trap foreign material and debris significantly reducing the potential damage to the fuel bundles and reactor fuel channels during initial operation of the reactor.

Description

13. The assembly of claim twelve, outer dimensions will be exactly the same as a standard 37 element PHWR fuel bundle.
14. The assembly of claim twelve wherein the strainer debris trapping section only extends over a partial length of the fuel bundle.
15. The assembly of claim twelve wherein the debris removal zone is only for debris larger than 1/16".
16. The assembly of claim twelve wherein the assembly contains a projectile plug with 1/16" holes to allow for heavy water (D20) to flow though the assembly.
17. The assembly of claim twelve wherein the assembly is removed from the fuel channel by the fueling machine . The assembly contains three conical deflectors to ensure that the debris remains in the assembly during and after the transfer to the fueling machine as there are different flow paths and pressures in the fueling machine. These differences could dislodge the debris and cause damage to the fueling machine.
DESCRIPTION
Title:
FUEL BUNDLE WITH DEBRIS STRAINER
Technical Field:
18. This invention is for PHWR, pressurized heavy water reactors and reactors of similar design.
Background of the Invention:
19. In the PHWR style reactors, the reactors are subject to a replacement of pressure tube and feeder tubes as part of their lifecycle. These activities cause the possibility of foreign material to enter the primary heat transport system and cause damage to the nuclear fuel as well as the horizontal fuel channels in which the fuel bundles reside.
Summary of the Invention:
20. This fuel bundle with debris strainer is a modified 37 (thirty-seven) element fuel bundle which by removing the 19 internal fuel elements and replacing them with a strainer assembly, now having the ability to trap and retain post reactor overhaul debris located in the primary heat transport system of a PHWR.
Page I 3 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-03 Brief Description of the Drawings:
21. Figure 1: is a cross section of the fuel bundle debris strainer showing all internal components and the fuel elements.
22. Figure 2: is a cross section of the fuel bundle debris strainer showing the flow cone, the strainer assembly, and the projectile plug.
23. Figure 3: is a section view of the flow cone and rear end plate and projectile plug.
24. Figure 4: is a section view of the strainer assembly parts and the rupture discs.
25. Figure 5: is a section view of the fuel bundle core supports and fuel elements.
26. Figure 6: is a cross section view of the strainer assembly minus the fuel elements.
Detailed Description:
27. In PHWR style reactors the core contains fuel bundles which are replaced on a regular basis, via on power fueling, to maintain reactor operation at full power and electricity production.
28. The embodiment, figure 1 shows all of the individual parts of the assembly. The flow cone and front plate 1, the rupture discs 2, the outer core support 3, the inner fine strainer 4, the outer bearing support ribs 5, fuel element bearings 6, bearing support ring 7, projectile plug 8, rear endplate 9, fuel elements 10, conical deflectors 11.
29. The embodiment, figure 2 shows the flow cone 1 with its 1/16"
perforations, used to funnel by the venturi effect debris into the assembly. The inner fine strainer 4 with its 1/16" perforations used to capture debris 1/16" and larger. The outer core support 3 with its 1/ 4" holes, used to provide structural support to the inner fine strainer. The projectile plug 8 showing its 1/6" holes for cooling flow and dish shape used to stop larger items from leaving the assembly.
30. The embodiment, figure 3 show a cross section view of the flow cone 1 with its 1/16"
perforations and the front endplate used to attach and support the fuel elements to.
Also shown is read endplate used to attach and support the fuel elements.
31. The embodiment, figure 4 show the location of the rupture discs 2 on the flow cone assembly 1. The rupture discs are used to ensure fuel bundle cooling by rupturing in the event of the assembly becoming clogged with debris. Also shown are the conical deflectors used to trap debris so that it does not leave the assembly during the transition from the fuel channel into the fueling machine during on power fueling activities.
Page I 4 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-03 32. The embodiment, figure 5 shows the location of the outer bearing support ribs 5 used to support the fuel elements. The fuel element bearing pads 6 used to support and provide protection to the fuel elements. The bearing support rings on which the fuel element bearing pads rest.
33. The embodiment, figure 6 shows the strainer assembly with the fuel elements removed.
This is for clarity purposes only.
OPERATION
34. Once the bundle has been placed into the fuel channel and the primary heat transport system flow has started the bundle will funnel and trap debris (foreign material) yet still allow the D20 (deuterium oxide- heavy water) to flow within the fuel channel to allow for the transfer of heat and to maintain fuel cooling.
35. This is achieved by the design of the flow cone and fine and coarse strainers. The flow cone will funnel the D20 and any debris into the strainer assembly. The debris will be held in the assembly due to the flow and the D20 will travel through the strainers and out to the fuel channel and the rest of the fuel bundles in the fuel channel.
36. Located inside of the strainer assembly are three (3) Conical Deflectors.
Their function is to trap and keep the foreign material inside of the bundle. During removal of the fuel bundle from the fuel channel foreign material will be kept in place as the fuel carriers are retracted into the fueling machine and discharged into the spent fuel bay.
37. To ensure that D20 flow is always maintained the flow cone has 1\16" holes throughout it, also integrated into the flow cone are four (4) non-fragmenting rupture discs which are designed to rupture in the event of full blockage of the strainer assembly.
38. At the end of the strainer assembly there is a projectile plug which is used to stop and large debris from leaving the strainer assembly.
39. To support the fuel elements (pencils) there are three (3) locations of outer pencil support ribs attached to the bearing ring and the outer core (support) Strainer. This is used to support the fuel elements on the element(pencil) bearings and to facilitate a fuel coolant flow path.
Page I 5 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-03

Claims (20)

ABSTRACT
After a major reactor overhaul of a pressurized heavy water reactor with horizontal pressure tubes and cylindrical fuel bundles or after a single or multiple channel feeder replacement on this style of reactor, there is a high likelihood of foreign material remaining within the primary heat transport system. This foreign material is likely to get caught in the fuel bundles causing damage to the bundles as well as the fuel channels.
A modified 37 element fuel bundle with an integrated debris strainer temporarily installed in first bundle position at the inlet end of the fuel channel, either during manual fuel load or via the fueling machine, will temporarily funnel and trap foreign material and debris significantly reducing the potential damage to the fuel bundles and reactor fuel channels during initial operation of the reactor.The invention in which exclusive property or privilege is set forth is defined as follows
1. A method of temporarily removing refurbishment, maintenance, or construction debris from the primary heat transport system of a pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) and reactors of similar design, comprising.
Operating the nuclear plant in a shutdown state or operating generating power.
Temporarily funnel and trap foreign material and debris by straining the heavy water (D20) in the primary heat transport system, while operating the reactor in the shutdown state or at a level to generate power. The strainer is a 37 element fuel bundle modified by removing the nineteen inner fuel elements and installing an integrated debris strainer assembly within the remaining concentric ring of eighteen fuel elements.
The strainer assembly includes a flow cone to create a venturi effect to draw the debris into the assembly, three conical deflectors used to trap debris to ensure debris does not enter the fueling machine once the assembly has been discharged from the fuel channel. Also included is a metallic fine strainer to trap debris larger than 1/16".
The assembly requires that the reactor that they are installed in has coolant circulation pumping to maintain fuel cooling of this and all fuel bundles within the channels in which they are installed.
Page I 1 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-03
2. The method of claim one wherein due to unique capability of the PHWR for on power fueling, the assembly is of a temporary nature as it will only reside in the fuel channel from one day to one year of a two to three year reactor operating cycle.
3. The method of claim one wherein the assembly is removed from the reactor before the reactor achieves criticality.
4. The method of claim one wherein the assembly is removed from the reactor once the reactor achieves criticality but before high power operation.
5. The method of claim one wherein the assembly is removed from the reactor at high power.
6. The method of claim one wherein the assembly is installed in all fuel channels.
7. The method of claim one wherein the assembly is installed in a pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR), and reactors of similar design.
8. The method of claim one wherein the assembly comprises material suitable to primary heat transport heavy water (D20) and tolerant of radiation.
9. The method of claim one wherein the assembly is manufactured to existing PHWR fuel bundle standards.
10. The method of claim one wherein the assembly debris trapping ability is finite.
11. The method of claim one wherein the assembly strainer is configured to trap debris greater than 1/16".
12. An assembly configured to be installed in the fuel channels of a PHWR in the first bundle position at the inlet end of the fuel channel during a shutdown state and configured to remove debris in a shutdown or operating states of the reactor.
Page I 2 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-03
13. The assembly of claim twelve, outer dimensions will be exactly the same as a standard 37 element PHWR fuel bundle.
14. The assembly of claim twelve wherein the strainer debris trapping section only extends over a partial length of the fuel bundle.
15. The assembly of claim twelve wherein the debris removal zone is only for debris larger than 1/16".
16. The assembly of claim twelve wherein the assembly contains a projectile plug with 1/16" holes to allow for heavy water (D20) to flow though the assembly.
17. The assembly of claim twelve wherein the assembly is removed from the fuel channel by the fueling machine . The assembly contains three conical deflectors to ensure that the debris remains in the assembly during and after the transfer to the fueling machine as there are different flow paths and pressures in the fueling machine. These differences could dislodge the debris and cause damage to the fueling machine.
DESCRIPTION
Title:
FUEL BUNDLE WITH DEBRIS STRAINER
Technical Field:
18. This invention is for PHWR, pressurized heavy water reactors and reactors of similar design.
Background of the Invention:
19. In the PHWR style reactors, the reactors are subject to a replacement of pressure tube and feeder tubes as part of their lifecycle. These activities cause the possibility of foreign material to enter the primary heat transport system and cause damage to the nuclear fuel as well as the horizontal fuel channels in which the fuel bundles reside.
Summary of the Invention:
20. This fuel bundle with debris strainer is a modified 37 (thirty-seven) element fuel bundle which by removing the 19 internal fuel elements and replacing them with a strainer assembly, now having the ability to trap and retain post reactor overhaul debris located in the primary heat transport system of a PHWR.
Page I 3 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-03
CA3081283A 2020-05-11 2020-05-11 Fuel bundle with debris strainer Active CA3081283C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3081283A CA3081283C (en) 2020-05-11 2020-05-11 Fuel bundle with debris strainer

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3081283A CA3081283C (en) 2020-05-11 2020-05-11 Fuel bundle with debris strainer

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA3081283A1 true CA3081283A1 (en) 2021-11-11
CA3081283C CA3081283C (en) 2024-01-02

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA3081283A Active CA3081283C (en) 2020-05-11 2020-05-11 Fuel bundle with debris strainer

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CA3081283C (en) 2024-01-02

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