DE1024176B - Homogeneous nuclear reactor - Google Patents

Description

GERMAN

The invention relates to a nuclear reactor for the conversion of nuclear energy into practical use Usable energy, using an active liquid made up of water or heavy water as brake fluid is used, which contains the fissile material in a finely divided and / or dissolved state. Such a reactor can be operated in such a way that the water evaporates in the reaction zone will. The water vapor is then withdrawn and used beneficially, with the condensate water, obtained by condensation from the used steam, is recycled back into the reaction zone.

Zirconium or aluminum are often used to delimit the reaction zone of a nuclear reactor. A reflector jacket is placed outside this boundary. Graphite, surrounded or not surrounded by a layer of thorium or thorium oxide, is often used as a reflector material.

However, pure zircon is very expensive, and the use of aluminum is in view of that This material will corrode when it comes into contact with water vapor at high temperatures comes, not advisable. However, it is possible to cover aluminum with protective materials, but this leads to an undesirable increase in the absorption of neutrons.

To overcome these difficulties, according to the invention is exclusively or almost exclusively Graphite is used as a material to build the reaction zone and the reflector jacket.

In the nuclear reactors according to the invention the reaction zone is e.g. B. not limited by metal, and only components are used in the reaction zone and the reflector jacket surrounding this zone which consist exclusively or almost exclusively of graphite.

The graphite is preferably used in the form of blocks, which suitably have a triangular, have a rectangular or hexagonal cross-section. The reaction zone of the nuclear reactor, e.g. B. the zone, in which the nuclear reaction takes place can be considered mainly in an evaporation zone and a separation zone be viewed divided, while in certain embodiments also a mixed or Feed zone can be distinguished. The nuclear reaction takes place mainly in the evaporation zone instead, in the water vapor (under which here steam from ordinary water or heavy Water is understood) is generated. The water vapor is in the separation zone above from entrained solid and / or liquid particles separated.

When the condensate water reaches the bottom of the reac-homogener Nuclear reactor

Applicant:

Stichting Reactor Centrum Nederland,
The hague

Representative: Dx.-Ing. F. Wuesthoff, Dipl.-Ing. G. Pulse

and Dipl.-Chem. Dr. rer. nat. E. Frhr. v. Bad luck man,

Patent Attorneys, Munich 9, Schweigerstr. 2

Claimed priority:
Netherlands 18 July 1955

Dr. Willem Johannes Dominicus van Dijck, The Hague, has been named as the inventor

tion zone is returned, the lower part of the zone can be viewed as a mixing or feed zone will. The circulating water is brought into contact with active liquid and mixed with this. As will be explained below, this zone is particularly important when there is a suspension is used as an active liquid.

Active liquid can occur as a continuous phase in the evaporation zone of the nuclear reactor. However, the reactor is preferably operated so that in this zone, at least in their larger part, the active liquid is dispersed in water vapor.

For cooling, the condensate water can flow through the reflector jacket before this water is used Reaction zone reached. The assembly consisting of the reaction zone and reflector jacket is of a pressure jacket which is usually made of steel.

To avoid electrolytic corrosion. prevent can expediently an electrically insulating layer be attached between the graphite and the steel jacket.

According to the invention, the various zones that lie within this jacket become complete constructed with the help of graphite blocks.

When the condensate water is circulated to the bottom of the reaction zone, it comes in the mixing zone in contact with the active liquid. The mixing should be done in such a way that none active liquid got out of the reaction zone. If the fissile material is in solute State, it is sufficient if the flow velocity of the water is sufficiently high

709 879/323

is. When working with a suspension of the fissile material, one must also ensure that that the suspension cannot settle in the mixing zone. In this case the water must also flow at sufficient speed. In addition, a minimum number of horizontal Areas occur in the mixed zone. As a result, only graphite blocks are used in this zone, between or in which channels in front of the upper end of the reaction zone) the condensate water can are expediently fed at the bottom of the reflector jacket and not at the upper end, as is usually the case with the embodiment of the invention described above.

The graphite blocks preferably have a planar cross-section so that they ensure a good fit. Are cross-sections formed by equilateral triangles, rectangles, and regular hexagons

are seen running perpendicular or obliquely, io excellent for this purpose. Hexagons

whose steepness is greater than the largest sedimentation angle of the suspended material and in which the water can flow upwards. The boundary between the mixing and the evaporation zone can and, if desired, squares are preferably used.

If the stack of graphite blocks is too large in the vertical direction to use the full height

to be covered, of course, in whole or in part by horizontal surfaces 15 of a single graphite rod

are formed. The graphite filling per unit volume is generally proportionate in the mixing zone hey.

The smallest possible amount of graphite is placed in the evaporation zone. In general graphite blocks, which run in the vertical direction, are present, which serve as supports for the Components of the overlying separation zone are used.

Above the evaporation zone is the separation zone, in which the water vapor formed by entrained solid and / or liquid particles is freed. In this zone there are graphite blocks and / or graphite bodies are used, which promote this separation. This zone is said to be a proportionate have a small amount of packing per unit volume of graphite (30 to 50%), so as not to be inadmissible Forming resistance to the escape of water vapor. The blocks have the shapes of Beams resting on top of one another in layers. The practical use of several blocks on top of each other, which fit into each other in a pyramid shape. This can especially be the case with stacks for the reflector jacket and for the mixing zone.

The channels between the blocks are formed by shaping the blocks accordingly or by spacers between the blocks.

The dimensions of the individual graphite blocks are essentially determined by the desired cooling certainly.

The invention is further elucidated with reference to the drawing in which the reaction zone and the reflector of a nuclear reactor according to the invention are shown schematically.

The reaction zone and the reflector jacket of the nuclear reactor are located inside the steel jacket 1. The reaction zone is formed from the mixing zone 2, the evaporation zone 3 and the separation zone 4. The reflector jacket 5, which also acts as a cooling zone

Bars consist in this case in successive 35 serves, surrounding the actual reaction zone.
Layers that are at right angles to each other. The fissile material is in heavy water

similar

Berl bodies, Raschig rings and similar well-known fillers made of graphite can be used as Serve impact body. The blocks and beams are preferably stacked so that they are as little as possibly subject to tensile stress.

The partition between the reaction zone and the reflector jacket is made of graphite blocks, that match. In the reflector jacket itself must be at some distance from the actual reaction zone in these blocks channels be provided through which water can flow. In the remaining part of the reflector jacket should also Channels can be provided between or in the graphite blocks through which water is passed can.

The graphite blocks surrounding the reaction zone and also those used as a reflector for this zone serve are cooled by running water. If the condensate water does not enter the bottom of the reaction zone, but at the very top of the reaction zone, e.g. B. in countercurrent to the rising Steaming, is introduced, the mixing zone can be omitted. If in the evaporation zone the active suspended as brake fluid. The suspension is mainly located in the evaporation space 3, preferably dispersed in water vapor.

The vapors formed rise to the top, pass through the separation zone 4 and are discharged through line 6 and get to a turbine. Here the nuclear energy is converted into a useful form of energy. After the condensation, the water returns via the lines 7 and flows through the reflector jacket 5, from which it flows to mixing zone 2. Some of this water flows through a number of pipes 8 directly to the separation zone 4, in which it comes into contact with the vapors in countercurrent.

The components of the different zones of the reflector jacket consist exclusively of bars, Blocks or other components made of graphite. In this construction, the graphite does not only act as a Reflector, but also as fuel.

A large number of graphite blocks are both in the reflector jacket 5 and in the mixing zone 2 intended; these blocks are stacked in such a way that they leave free channels through which the water runs vertically Direction can flow. On the bottom and on the top

Liquid occurs in a disperse form, the water can also disperse in the end of the reflector jacket

if it is in the water vapor, there is a relatively thin layer of boiling active liquid in the bottom part of this zone. When the active liquid in the evaporation zone as contiguous Phase is present, this layer is thicker and can practically fill the entire evaporation zone. The partition between the reaction zone and the reflector jacket is made only at the bottom Graphite blocks formed that fit one another. Flow in the horizontal direction (see the arrows that indicate the Specify the direction of water flow).

In the evaporation zone 3, apart from the support rods 9, there are the components of the separation zone 4 wear, practically no graphite.

A number of layers of graphite crossbeams are provided in and on top of the separation zone 4 there is also a layer 10 of Berl bodies. These elements are used to separate suspension

the assumed case (condensate water introduced 70 particles from the water vapors to be discharged.

The water from line 8 is distributed over the Berl body as a washing liquid.

Channels through which the generated water vapor can be discharged are at the upper end of the reflector jacket intended.

The presence of a relatively large amount of heavy water in the reflector jacket in the immediate vicinity Proximity to the reaction zone, especially at its bottom, is very desirable because the water is heavy is a better brake material than graphite. The presence of a substance with a braking effect, in particular in the vicinity of those parts of the reaction zone where fissile material is in greater concentration occurs, increases the yield of the nuclear reactor. This can be more great Zones should be provided at the specified points in the reflector jacket, through which the heavy water as Cooling water can be passed. As a result, the amount present at this point is heavy Water significantly increased.

An electrically insulating layer 11 is between the graphite of the reflector and the steel pressure jacket attached to prevent electrolytic corrosion.

The whole reactor is thus formed by a jacket in which the various parts of the reaction zone and the reflector zone are made by appropriately placing graphite blocks.

Claims (4)

Patent claims: 1. Nuclear reactor for converting nuclear energy into a practically usable form of energy using an active liquid composed of water or heavy water as brake fluid, which contains the fissile material in a finely divided and / or dissolved state, characterized in that as building material for the reaction zone and the reflector jacket exclusively or graphite is used almost exclusively. 2. Nuclear reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that that the graphite is used in the form of blocks. 3. Nuclear reactor according to claim 2, characterized in that the blocks have a triangular, have a rectangular or hexagonal cross-section. 4. Nuclear reactor according to claim 2 and 3, in which the reaction zone is divided into an evaporation zone, a separation zone and optionally a mixing zone, characterized in that the lowest possible in the evaporation zone Amount of graphite is present, with the exception of support elements for graphite blocks above, that graphite blocks and / or graphite bodies are provided in the separation zone, which are arranged in this way are that the separation of liquid and / or solid particles from the ascending Steam is facilitated that in the mixing zone, if one is present, graphite blocks with vertical or inclined channels are provided, the steepness of which is greater than that largest sedimentation angle of the suspended material, and that the reflector jacket is so constructed is that liquid can flow through and / or between the blocks. 1 sheet of drawings 1 709 8797323 2.58