EP2888742A2 - Système d'eau de refroidissement de composants pour centrale nucléaire - Google Patents

Système d'eau de refroidissement de composants pour centrale nucléaire

Info

Publication number
EP2888742A2
EP2888742A2 EP13830536.2A EP13830536A EP2888742A2 EP 2888742 A2 EP2888742 A2 EP 2888742A2 EP 13830536 A EP13830536 A EP 13830536A EP 2888742 A2 EP2888742 A2 EP 2888742A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
containment
tube bundle
water
water reservoir
containment vessel
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP13830536.2A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Krishna P. Singh
Joseph Rajkumar
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SMR Inventec LLC
Original Assignee
SMR Inventec LLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from PCT/US2013/042070 external-priority patent/WO2013177196A1/fr
Application filed by SMR Inventec LLC filed Critical SMR Inventec LLC
Publication of EP2888742A2 publication Critical patent/EP2888742A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C15/00—Cooling arrangements within the pressure vessel containing the core; Selection of specific coolants
    • G21C15/02—Arrangements or disposition of passages in which heat is transferred to the coolant; Coolant flow control devices
    • G21C15/12—Arrangements or disposition of passages in which heat is transferred to the coolant; Coolant flow control devices from pressure vessel; from containment vessel
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C11/00—Shielding structurally associated with the reactor
    • G21C11/08—Thermal shields; Thermal linings, i.e. for dissipating heat from gamma radiation which would otherwise heat an outer biological shield ; Thermal insulation
    • G21C11/088—Thermal shields; Thermal linings, i.e. for dissipating heat from gamma radiation which would otherwise heat an outer biological shield ; Thermal insulation consisting of a stagnant or a circulating fluid
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C13/00—Pressure vessels; Containment vessels; Containment in general
    • G21C13/02—Details
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C15/00—Cooling arrangements within the pressure vessel containing the core; Selection of specific coolants
    • G21C15/18—Emergency cooling arrangements; Removing shut-down heat
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C15/00—Cooling arrangements within the pressure vessel containing the core; Selection of specific coolants
    • G21C15/24—Promoting flow of the coolant
    • G21C15/26—Promoting flow of the coolant by convection, e.g. using chimneys, using divergent channels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C11/00—Shielding structurally associated with the reactor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C19/00—Arrangements for treating, for handling, or for facilitating the handling of, fuel or other materials which are used within the reactor, e.g. within its pressure vessel
    • G21C19/02—Details of handling arrangements
    • G21C19/06—Magazines for holding fuel elements or control elements
    • G21C19/07—Storage racks; Storage pools
    • Y—GENERAL 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
    • 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
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates nuclear reactors, and more particularly to a reactor containment system with passive thermal energy release control.
  • the containment for a nuclear reactor is defined as the enclosure that provides environmental isolation to the nuclear ste m supply system (NSSS) of the plant in. which uclear fission is harnessed to produce pressurized steam.
  • NSS nuclear ste m supply system
  • a commercial nuclear reactor is required to be enclosed in a pressure retaking structure which can withstand the temperature and pressure resulting from, the mos severe accident that can he postulated for the facility.
  • the most severe energy release accidents that can be postulated for a reactor and its co tainme t can be of two types,
  • JOOOS Another second thermal event of potential risk to the integrity of the containment is the scenario wherein all heat rejection paths from the plant's nuclear steam supply system (NSSS) are tost, forcing the reactor into a "scram," A station black-out is such m event.
  • the decay heat generated in the reactor must be removed to protect it from an uncontrolled , pressure rise.
  • the component cooling water (CCW) system is a closed loop of purified water that, serves to cool a variety of equipment in the plant. Among its important auxiliary roles is extracting the decay heat from the reactor water after the reactor is shutdown, which is typically perf ormed inside a tubular heat exchanger known variously as the "decay heat cooler” or “residual heat removal beat exchanger.”
  • the heat transferred to component cooling water in the decay heat cooler and other heat exchangers that are used to cool electrical and mechanical machinery occurs across the wails of tubes which sequesters or isolates the component cooling water from the radioactive contamination that may be associated with the reactor water.
  • the component cooling system essentially serves to provide the means to remove waste heat from all. equipment in the plant that requires cooling as well as to serve as a barrier against release of radiation to the environment.
  • the heat collected by the component cooling water from plant equipment raises its temperature.
  • the heated component cooling water is typically cooled in a once- through flow system by rejecting its heat to the environment in a she! band-tube heat exchanger using a natural body of water such a lake, river, or sea.
  • the component: cooling water system draws cool raw water from the natural body of water, which is pumped, through the component cooling water heat exchanger and then returns the now heated water back to the natural body of water.
  • Such a CCW system suffers from several operational problems such as intrusion of debris carried over by the raw cooling water, biological fouling of heat exchanger tubes by raw water, and corrosion of pipes carrying the raw water into the heal exchanger. Operating nuclear plants often report significant accumulation of sediments and other foulants in the headers of CCW heat exchangers requiring frequent: maintenance and degrading thermal performance.
  • the present invention according to one aspect provides a component cooling water system that overcomes the deficiencies of the foregoing system.
  • a component cooling water system for a nuclear power plant includes a containment vessel defining containment space configured for boosing a nuclear reactor, a containment enclosure structure surrounding the containment vessel, an annular water reservoir formed between the containment vessel and containment eftciosirre structure, the annular water reservoir configured to provide a heat sink for dissipating thermal energy, and a shell-less heat exchanger having an exposed heat transfer tube bundle immersed in water held within the annular water reservoir.
  • Component cooling water from the plant flows through the tube bundle and is cooled by transferring heat to the annular water reservoir.
  • the tube bundle is comprised of a plurality of hea t transfer tubes. In one embodiment, the tube bundle is U-shaped.
  • a component cooling water system for a nuclear power plant includes a containment vessel defining containment space configured for housing a nuclear reactor, a containment enclosure structure surrounding the containment vessel, an annular water reservoir formed between the containment vessel and containment enclosure structure, the annular water reservoir configured to provide a heat sink for dissipating thermal energy, a shell-less heat exchanger having an exposed heat transfer tube bundle comprised of a plurality of tubes immersed in water held within the annular water reservoir, and a discharge sparger positioned below the exposed tube bundle in the annular water reservoir.
  • the sparger is configured and arranged to discharge water recirculated from the annular water reservoir through the tube bundle for cooling the tubes.
  • Component cooling water from the plant flows through the tubes of the tube bundle and is cooled by transferring heat to the annular water reservoir.
  • a component cooling water system for a nuclear power plant includes a containment vessel defining containment space housing a nuclear reactor, a containment enclosure structure surrounding the containment vessel, an annular water reservoir formed between the containment vessel and containment enclosure structure, the annular water reservoir configured to provide a hear sink for dissipating thermal energy, a shell-less heat exchanger having an exposed heat transfer tube bundle comprised of a plurality of tabes immersed in water held within the annular water reservoir, and a plurality of substantially radial fins protruding outwards from the containment vessel towards the containment enclosure structure and located in the annular water reservoir, in this embodiment, the heat exchanger is located in a circumferentiaily-extending bay formed in the annular water reservoir between a pair of spaced apart adjacent fins. Component cooling water from the plant flows through the tubes of the tube bundle and is cooled by transferring heat to the annular water reservoir.
  • the present invention provides nuclear reactor containment system that overcomes the deficiencies of the foregoing containment system arrangements.
  • the containment system generally includes an inner containment vessel which may be formed of steel or another ductile material and an outer containment enclosure structure (CES) thereby forming a double wailed containment system, in one embodiment, water-filled annulus may be provided between the containment vessel and the containment enclosure structure providing an annular cooling reservoir.
  • the containment vessel ma include a plurality of longitudinal heat transfer fins which extend (substantially) radial outwards from the vessel in the manner of "fin".
  • the containment vessel thus serves not only as the primary structural containment for the reactor, but is configured and operable to function as a heat exchanger with the annular water reservoir acting as the heat sink.
  • the containment vessel advantageously provides a passive (i.e. non-pumped) heat rejection system when needed during thermai energy release accident such as a LOCA or reactor scram, to dissipate heat and cool the reactor.
  • a passive (i.e. non-pumped) heat rejection system when needed during thermai energy release accident such as a LOCA or reactor scram, to dissipate heat and cool the reactor.
  • the presen invention further provides a component cooling water system which overcomes the deficiencies of the foregoing cooling water system arrangements.
  • the component cooling water system includes a heat exchanger which may be arranged and incorporated into the water-filled annulus (i.e. annular water reservoir).
  • the water in the amiulus may therefore serve as an active heat transfer medium which rejects heat from, the cooling system via evaporation rather than, utilizing a natural, body of water.
  • a nuclear reactor containment system includes a containment vessel configured for housing a nuclear reactor, a
  • CES containment enclosure structure
  • CES containment enclosure structure
  • annular reservoir formed between the containment vessel and containment enclosure structure (CES) for extracting heat energy from, the containment space
  • the annular reservoir contains water lor cooling the containment vessel.
  • a portion of the containment vessel may include sisbsiantialiy radial heat transfer fins disposed in the annular reservoir and extending between (he containment vessel and containment enclosure structure (CBS) to .improve the dissipation, of heat to the water- filled annular reservoir.
  • Juw Sj Embodiments of the system may further include an auxiliary air cooling system including a plurality of vertical inlet air conduits spaced eireuniferentiaSiy around the containment vessel in the annular reservoir.
  • the air conduits are in fluid communication with the annular' reservoir and outside ambient air external to the containment enclosure structure (CES).
  • CES containment enclosure structure
  • a nuclear reactor containment system includes a containment vessel configured for housing a nuclear reactor, a containment enclosure structure (CES) surrounding the containment vessel a water filled annul us formed between the containment vessel, and containment enclosure structure (CES) for cooling the containment vessel, and a plurali ty of substantially radial fins protruding outwards from the containment vessel and located in the annul us.
  • CES containment enclosure structure
  • CES containment enclosure structure
  • the air cooling system when a thermal energy release incident occurs inside the containment vessel, and water in the annul us is substantially depleted, by evaporation, the air cooling system is operable to draw outside ambient air into the annulus through the air conduits to coo! the heat generated in the containment (which decreases exponentially with time) by natural con vection.
  • the existence of water in the annular region, completely surrounding the containment vessel will maintain a consistent temperature distribution in the containment vessel to pre vent warping of the containment vessel during the thermal energy release incident or accident.
  • a nuclear reactor containment system includes a containment vessel including a cylindrical shell configured for housing a nuclear reactor, a containment enclosure structure (CES) surrounding the containment vessel, an annular reservoir
  • CES containment enclosure structure
  • the containment vessel i the annular reservoir.
  • the air conduits are in fluid communication with the annular reservoir and outside ambient air external to the containment enclosure structure (CES). I the event of a thermal energy release incident inside the containment vessel heat generated by the containment vessel is transferred, to the annular reservoir via the (substantially) radial containment wall along with its internal and external .fins which operates to cool the containment vessel.
  • Containment structures and systems configured so that a severe energy reiease event as described above can be contained passively (e.g. without relying on active components such as pum s, valves, heat, exchangers and motors);
  • Containment vessel equipped with provisions thai allow for the ready removal (or installation) of major equipment through the containment structure.
  • FIG. 1 is side elevation view of a finned primary reactor containment vessel according to the present disclosure which forms part of a nuclear reactor containment system, the lower portions of some fins being broken away in part to reveal, vertical, support columns and circumferential rib;
  • FIG. 2 is transverse cross-sectional view thereof taken along line II-IJ;
  • FIG. 3 is a detail of item III in FIG. 2;
  • FIG . 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the nuclear reactor containment system showing the containment vessel of FIG. I and. outer containment enclosure structure
  • FIG, 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the containment vessel and containment enclosure structure (CES);
  • FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of nuclear reactor containment system as installed, with the outer containment enclosure structure (CES) being visible above grade;
  • CES outer containment enclosure structure
  • FIG. 7 is a top plan view thereof
  • FIG. 8 is .longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof taken along line VHl-VHI in FIG. 7 showing both above and below grade portions of the nuclear reac tor containment system;
  • FIG, 9 is side elevation view of the primary reactor containment vessel showing various cross-section, cuts to reveal equipment housed in and additional details of the containment vessel;
  • FIG. 10 is a to plan view thereof
  • FIG . 1 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof taken along line ⁇ - ⁇ in FIG.
  • FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof taken along line XH.-X11 in FIG. 10:
  • FIG. 13 is a transverse cross-sectional view thereof taken along line ⁇ - ⁇ in FIG.
  • FIG. 14 is a transverse cross-sectional view thereof taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 9;
  • FIG. 15 is a transverse cross-sectional view thereof taken along line XV-XV in FIG. 9;
  • FIG, 16 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the nuclear reactor containment system showing an auxiliary heat dissipation system
  • FIG. 1 ? is an isometric view of the containment vessel with lower portions of the (substantially) radial fins of the containment vessel broken away in part, to reveal vertical support columns and circumferential rib;
  • FIG, 18 is a kmg.iiudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the heat dissipation system of FIG. 16 showing upper and lower ring headers and ducts attached to the shell of the containment vessel;
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a generalized cross-section of the nuclear reactor containment system and operation of the water filled annular reservoir to dissipate heat and cool die co tainment vessel during a thermal energy release event:
  • FIG, 20 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a portion of a component cooling water system according to another aspect of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 21 is an enlarged detail taken from FIG. 20;
  • FIG. 22 is top plan view taken from a first elevation of the component cooling water system in FIG. 20;
  • FIG. 23 is a second top plan view taken form a second elevation of the component cooling water system i FIG. 20, and also schematically showing an annular water reservoir recirculation and makeup water systems;
  • FIG. 24 is side cross-sectional elevation view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 20.
  • FIG. 25 is an overall top cross-sectional view of the nuclear reactor containment and component cooling water systems.
  • the system 100 generally includes an inner containment structure such as containment vessel 200 and an outer containment enclosure stracture (CES)
  • CES containment enclosure stracture
  • the containment vessel 200 and containment enclosure structure (CES) 300 are vertically elongated and oriented, and defines a vertical axis VA.
  • the containment vessel-enclosure assembly 200-300 is configured to be buried in the subgtade at least partially below grade (see also FIGS. 6-8).
  • containment vessel-enclosure assembly 200-300 may be supported by a concrete foundation
  • the sidewails 303 may circumfereniialiy enclose containment vessel 200 as show wherein a lower portion of the containment vessel may be positioned inside the sidewails. in some embodiments, the sidewails 303 may be poured after placement of the containment vessel 200 on the bottom, slab 302 ⁇ which may be poured and set first) thereby completely embedding the lower portion of the containment vessel 200 within the foundation.
  • the foundation walls 303 may terminate be!ovv grade in some embodiments as shown to provide additional protection for the containment vessel-enclosure assembly 200-300 from projectile impacts (e.g. crashing plane, etc.).
  • the foundation 301 ma have any suitable configuration in top plan view, including without limitation polygonal (e.g. rectangular, hexagon, circular, etc.).
  • the weight of the containment vessel 200 may be primarily supported by the bottom slab 302 on which the containment vessel rests and the containment enclosure structure (CES) 300 may be supported by the base mat 304 formed atop the side wails 303 of the foundation 301.
  • CES containment enclosure structure
  • the containment structure 200 may be an elongated vessel 202 including a hollow cylindrical shell 204 with circular transverse cross- section defining an outer diameter Di , a top head 206, and a bottom head 208.
  • the containment vessel 200 i.e. shell and heads
  • the containment vessel 200 may be made from a suitably strong and ductile metallic plate and bar stock that is readily weldable (e.g. low carbon steel).
  • a low carbon steel shell 204 may have a thickness of at least 1 inch.
  • the top head 206 may be attached to the shell 204 via a flanged joint 210 comprised of a first annular flange 212 disposed on the lower end or bottom of the top head and a second mating annular flange 214 disposed on the upper end or top of the shell
  • the flanged joint 210 may be a bolted joint, which optionally may further be seal welded after assembly with a circuraferentially extending annular seal weld being made betwee the adjoining flanges 212 and 21 .
  • the top head 206 of containment vessel 200 may be an ASME ⁇ American Society of Mechanical Engineers) dome-shaped flanged and dished head to add structural strength (i.e. internal pressure retention and external impact resistance); however, other possible configurations including a flat to head might be used.
  • the bottom head 208 may similarly be a dome-shaped dished head or alternatively flat in other possible embodiments.
  • the bottom head 208 m be directly welded to the lower portion or end of the shell 204 via an integral straight flange (SF) portion of the head matching the diameter of shell
  • the bottom of the containment vessel 200 may include a ribbed support stand 208a or similar structure attached to the bottom head 208 to help stabilize and provide level support for the containment vessel on the slab 302 of the foundation 3 5 , as further described herein.
  • the top poriion 216 of the containmen vessel shell 204 may be a diametrically enlarged segment of the shell that forms a housing to support and
  • the above grade portion of the containment vessel 200 may resemble a mushroom-shaped structure.
  • the enlarged top portion 21 of containment vessel 200 may have an outer diameter D2 that is larger than the outer diameter D 1 of the rest of the adjoining lower poriion 218 of the containment vessel shell 204.
  • the top portion 216 may have a diameter D2 tha t is approximately 10 feet larger than the diameter Dl of the lower portion 238 of the shell 204
  • the top portion 216 of shell 204 may have a suitable height H2 selected to accommodate the polar ctane with allowance for working clearances which may be less than 50% of the total height H I of the containment vessel 200,
  • approximately the top ten feet of the containment vessel 200 (H2) may be formed by the enlarged diameter top portion. 216 in comparison to a total height Hi of 200 feet of the containment vessel.
  • the top portion 216 of containment vessel 200 may terminate at the upper end with flange 214 at the flanged connection to the top head 206 of the contain
  • the diametrically enlarged top portion. 21 6 of containment vessel 200 has a diameter D2 which is smaller than the inside diameter D3 of the containment enclosure structure (CES) 30 to provide a (substantially) radial gap or secondary annulos 330 (see, e.g. FIG. 4).
  • annulus 330 further significantly creates a flow path between primary annulus 313 (between the shells of the containment enclosure structure (CES) 300 and containment vessel 200) and the head space 318 between the containment enclosure structure (CES) dome 316 and top head 206 of the containment vessel 200 for steam and/or air to be vented from the containment enclosure structure (CES) as further described herein.
  • the secondary annulus 33 is in fluid communication with the primary annulus 313 and the head space 318 which in turn is in fluid communication with vent 317 which penetrates the dome 316, hi one embodiment the secondar annulus 330 has a smaller (substantially) radial width than the primary annulus 313.
  • the containment enclosure structure (CES) structure (CES) 300 may be double-walled structure in some embodiments having sidewalk 320 formed by- two (substantially) radially spaced and interconnected concentric shells 310 (inner) and. 31 1 (outer) with plain or reinforced concrete 312 installed in the annular space between them.
  • the concentric shells 310, 31 1 may be made of any suitably strong material, such as for example without limitation ductile metallic plates that are readily weldable (e.g. low carbon steel). Other suitable metallic materials including various alloys may be used.
  • the double-walled containment enclosure structure (CES) 300 may have a concrete 312 thickness of 6 feet or more which ensures adequate abilit to withstand high energy projectile impacts such as that from an. airliner.
  • the containment enclosure structure (CES) 300 circumscribes the containment vessel shell 204 and is spaced (substantially) radially apart from shell 204, thereby creating primary annulus 313.
  • Annulus 313 may be a water-filled in. one embodiment (i.e. annular water reservoir) to create a heat sink for receiving and dissipating heat from the containment vessel 200 in the case of a thermal energy release incident, inside the containment vessel.
  • This wafer-filled annular reservoir preferably extends cireumferentialiy for a full 360 degrees in one embodiment around the perimeter of upper portions of the containment vessel shell 204 lying above the concrete foundation 301.
  • the annuius 3 D is filled, with water from the base mat 304 at the bottom end 314 to approximately the top end 3 15 of the concentric shells 310, 311 of the containment enclosure structure (CES) 30 to form an annular cooling water reservoir between the containment vessel shell 204 and inner shell 310 of the containment enclosure structure
  • CES containment enclosure structure
  • This annular reservoir may be coated or lined in some embodiments with a suitable corrosion resistant material such as aluminum, stainless steel, or a suitable preservative for corrosion protection, in one representative example, without limitation, the annuius 313 may be about 10 feet wide and about 1 0 feet high.
  • the containment, enclosure structure (CES) 300 includes a steel dome 316 that is suitably thick and reinforced to harden it against crashing aircraft and other incident projectiles.
  • the dome 3.16 may b removably fastened to the shells 310, 31 1 by a robust flanged joint 318,
  • the containment enclosure structure (CES) 300 is entirely surrounded on all exposed above grade portions by the containment enclosure structure (CES) 300, which preferably is sufficiently tail to provide protection for the containment vessel against aircraft hazard or comparable projectile to preserve the structural integrity of the water mass in the annuius 313 surrounding the containment vessel, in one embodiment, as shown, the conia.itvm.eni enclosure structure (CES) 300 extends vertically below grade to a substantial portion of the distance to the to of the base mat 304.
  • the containment enclosure structure (CES) 300 may further include at least one rain- protected vent 31 ? which is in fluid communication with the head space 318 beneath the dome 316 and water-filled annulus 313 to allow water vapor to flow, escape, and vent to atmosphere.
  • the vent 317 may be located at the center of the dome 316.
  • a plurality of vents may be provided spaced (substantially) radially around the dome 316.
  • the vent 317 may be formed by a short section of piping in some embodiments which, is covered by a rain hood of any suitable configuration that allows steam to escape from the containment enclosure structure (CES) but minimizes the ingress of water.
  • the Stead space 318 between the dome 3 1 6 and top head 206 of the containment vessel 200 may be filled with an energy absorbing material or structure to minimize the impact load on the containment enclosure structure (CES) dome 316 from a crashing (failing) projecting (e.g. airliner, etc.).
  • a plurality of lightly-packed undulating or corrugated deformabk aluminum plates may he disposed in part or all of the head space to form a crumple zone whic will help absorb and dissipate the impact forces on the dome 316.
  • the buried port ions of the containment vessel 200 within the concrete foundation 30! below the base mat 304 may have a plain shell 204 without external features.
  • Portions of the containment vessel shell 204 above the base mat 304 may include a plurality of longitudinal external (substantially) radial ribs or .fins 220 which extend axialiy ( substantially) parallel to vertical axis VA of the containment vessel-enclosure assembly 200-300.
  • the external longitudinal fins 220 are spaced circumferentially around the perimeter of the containment vessel shell 204 and extend (substantially) radially outwards from the containment vessel,
  • the ribs 220 serve multiple advantageous functions including without limitation (1) to stiffen the containment vessel shell 204, (2) prevent excessive "sloshing" of water reserve in annulus 313 in the occurrence of a seismic event, and (3) significantly to act as heat transfer "fins” to dissipate heat absorbed by conduction through the shell 204 to the environment of the annulus 313 in the situation of a fluid/steam release event in the containment vessel, (0070 Accordingly, in one embodiment to maximize the heat transfer effectiveness, the longitudinal fins 220 extend vertically for substantially the entire height of the water-filled annulus 313 covering the effective heat transfer surfaces of the containment vessel 200 (i.e.
  • the external longitudinal fins 220 have upper horizontal ends 220a which terminate at or proximate to the underside or bottom of the larger diameter top portion 21 of die containment vessel 200, and lower horizontal ends 220b which terminate at or proximate to the base mat 304 of the concrete foundation 301 .
  • the external longitudinal fins 220 may have a height I B which is equal to or greater than one half of a total height of the shell of the containment vessel .
  • the upper horizontal ends 220a of the longitudinal fins 220 are free ends not permanently attached (e.g. welded) to the containment -vessel 200 or other structure. At least part of the lower horizontal ends 22 b of the longitudinal fins 220 may abuttingly contact and rest on a horizontal circumferential rib 222 welded to the exterior surface of the containment: vessel shell 204 to help support the weight of the longitudinal fins 220 and minimize stresses on the longitudinal rib-to-shell welds.
  • Circumferential rib 222 is annular in shape and may extend a full 360 degrees completely around the circumferential of the containment vessel, shell 204.
  • the circumferential rib 222 is located to rest on the base mat 304 of the concrete foundation 301 which trans fers the loads of the longitudinal fins 220 to the foundation.
  • the longitudinal fins 220 may have a lateral extent or width that projects outwards beyond the outer peripheral edge of the circumferential rib 222. Accordingly, in this embodiment, only the inner portions of the lower horizontal end 220b of each rib 220 contacts the circumferential rib 222.
  • the circumferential rib 222 may extend (substantially) radially outwards far enough so that substantially the entire lower horizontal end 220b of each longitudinal rib 220 rests on the circumferential rib 222.
  • the lower horizontal ends 220b may be welded to the circumferential rib 222 in some embodiments to further strengthen and stiffen the longitudinal tins 220.
  • the external longitudinal fins 220 may be made of steel (e.g. low carbon steel), or other suitable metallic materials including alloys which are each welded on one of the longitudinally-extending sides to the exterior of the containment vessel shell 204.
  • the opposing longitudinally-extending side of each rib 220 lies proximate to, but is preferably not permanently affixed to the interior of the inner shell 310 of the containment enclosure structure (CHS) 300 to maximize the heat transfer surface of the ribs acting as heat
  • the external longitudinal fins 220 extend (substantially) radially outwards beyond the larger diameter top portion 216 of the containment vessel 200 as shown.
  • steel ribs 220 may have a thickness of about .1 inch. Other suitable thickness of ribs may be used as appropriate..
  • the ribs 220 have a radial width that is more than 10 times the thickness of the ribs.
  • the longitudinal fins 220 are oriented, at an oblique angle A I to containment vessel shell 204 as best shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 5, This orientation forms a crumple zone extending 360 degrees around the circumference of the containment vessel 200 to better resist projectile impacts functioning in cooperation with the outer containment enclosure structure (CES) 300. Accordingly, an impact causing inward deformation of the containment enclosure structure (CES) shells 210, 21.1 will bend the longitudinal fins 220 which in the process will distribute the impact forces preferably without direct transfer to and rupturing of the inner containment vessel shell 204 as might possibly occur with ribs oriented 90 degrees to the containment vessel shell 204. In other possible embodiments, depending on the construction of the containment enclosure structure (CES) 300 and other factors, a perpendicular arrangement of ribs 220 to the containment vessel shell 204 may be
  • portions ' of the containment vessel shell 204 having and protected by the externa] (substantially) radial fins 220 against projectile impacts may extend below grade to provide protection against projectile strikes at or slightly below grade on the containment enclosure structure (C.ES) 300.
  • the base mat 304 formed at die top of the vertically extending sidewalls 303 of the foundation 301 where the fins 220 terminate at their lower ends may be positioned a number of feet below grade to improve impact resistance of the nuclear reactor containment system.
  • the containment vessel 200 may optionally include a plurality of cireumferential!y spaced apart internal (substantially) radial fins 221 attached to the interior surface of the shell 204 (shown as dashed in FIGS. 2 and 3 ).
  • Internal fins 221 extend (substantially) radially inwards from containment vessel shell 204 and longitudinally in vertical direction of a suitable height.
  • the internal (substantially) radial fins 22 may have a height substantially coextensive with the height of the water-filled annulus 313 and extend .from the base mat 304 to approximately the top of the shell 204.
  • the internal fins 221 may be oriented substantially perpendicular (i.e. 90 degrees) to the containment vessel shell 204. Other suitable angles and oblique orientations ma he used.
  • the internal fins function to both increase the available heat transfer surface area and. structurally reinforce the containment vessel shell against external impact (e.g. projectiles) or internal pressure increase within the containment vessel 200 in the event of a containment pressurizaiton event (e.g. LOCA or reactor scram).
  • the interna! fins 22 1 may be made of steel.
  • a plurality of vertical structural support columns 331 may be attached to the exterior surface of the containment vessel shell 204 to help support the diametrically larger top portion 21 of containment vessel 200 which has peripheral sides that are cantilevered (substantially) radially outwards beyond the shell 204, .
  • the support columns 331 are spaced circumferentially apart around the perimeter of containment vessel shell 204.
  • the support columns 3 1 may be formed of steel hollow structural members, for example without limitation C-shaped members in cross-section (i.e.
  • the support columns 331 extend vertically down wards from and may be welded at their top ends to the bottom/underside of the larger diameter top portion 216 of containment vessel housing the polar crane. The bottom ends of the support columns 331 rest on or are welded to the circumferential rib 222 which engages the base mat 304 of the concrete foundation 301 near the buried portion of the containment.
  • the columns 331 help transfer part of the dead load or weight from the crane and the top portion 216 of the containment vessel 300 down to the foundation.
  • the hollow space inside the support columns may be filled with concrete (with or without rebar) to help stiffen and further support the dead load or weight, in other possible embodiments, other structural steel shapes including filled or unfilled box beams, I-beams, tubular, angles, etc. may be used.
  • the longitudinal fins 220 may extend farther outwards in a (substantially ) radial direction than the support columns 331 which serve a structural role rather than a heat transfer role as the ribs 220.
  • the ribs 220 have a (substantially) radial width that is at least twice the (substantially) radial width of support columns,
  • FIGS. 11-15 show various cross sections (both longitudinal and transverse) of containment vessel 200 with equipment shown therein.
  • the containment: vessel 200 may be part of a small modular reactor (SMR) system such as SMR-160 by Holtec Internationa ⁇ .
  • Th equipment may generally include a nuclear reactor vessel 500 with a reactor core and circulating primary coolant disposed in a wet well 504, and a steam generator 502 fhudly coupled to the reactor and circulating a secondary coolant which m y form part of a Rankine power generation cycle.
  • Other appurtenances and equipment may be provided to create a complete steam generation system.
  • the containment vessel 200 may further include an auxiliary heat dissipation system 340 including a plurality of internal longitudinal ducts 341 circumferentially spaced around the circumference of containment vessel shell 204.
  • Duc s 341 e tend vertically parallel to the vertical axis VA and in one embodiment are attached to the interior surface of shell 204.
  • the ducts 341 may be made of metal such as steel and are welded to interior of the shell 204, In one possible configuration, without limitation, the ducts 341 may be comprised of vertically oriented C-shaped structural channels ( i cross sec tion) positioned s that the parall el legs of the channels are eac h seam welded to the shell 204 for their entire height to define a sealed vertical flow conduit. Other suitably shaped and configured ducts may be provided so long the fluid conveyed in the duels contacts at least a portion of the interior conlainmeni vessel shell 204 to transfer heat to the water- filled annulus 13. 1 ⁇ 080] An suitable munbc!
  • ducts 341 may be provided depending on the heat transfer surface area required for cooling the fluid flowing through the ducts.
  • the ducts 341 may be uniformly or non-i iformiy spaced on the interior of the containment vessel shell 204, and in some embodiments grouped clusters of ducts may be
  • the ducts 341 may have any suitable cross-sectional dimensions depending on the flow rate of fluid carried by the ducts and heat transfer considerations.
  • the open upper and lower ends 34 ! a, 341b of the ducts 341 are each fluidly connected to a common upper inlet ring header 343 and lower outlet ring header 344.
  • the annular shaped ring headers 343, 344 are verticall spaced apart and positioned at. suitable elevations on ihe interior of the containment vessel 200 to maximize the transfer of beat between fluid flowing vertically inside ducts 341 and ihe shell 204 of the containment vessel in the active heat transfer zone defined by portions of the containment vessel having the external longitudinal fins 220 in the primary an nuisanceus 313.
  • upper and lower ring headers 343, 344 may each " respectively be located on the interior of the containment vessel shell 204 adjacent and near to the top and bottom of the annuius
  • the ring headers 343, 344 may each be formed of half-sections of steel pipe as shown which are welded directly to the interior surface of containment vessel shell 204 in the manner shown. In other embodiments, the ring headers 343, 344 may be formed of complete sections of arcuateiy curved piping supported by and attached to the interior of the shell 204 by any suitable means.
  • the heat dissipation system 340 is fluidiy connected to a source of steam that may be generated from a water mass inside the containment, vessel 200 to reject radioactive material decay heat.
  • the containment surface enclosed by the d cts 341 serves as tire heat transfer surface to transmit the latent heat of the steam inside the ducts to the shell 204 of the containment vessel 200 for cooling via the external longitudinal fins 220 and water filled annuius 313. in operation, steam enters the inlet ring header 343 and is distributed to the open inlet ends of ilie ducts 341 penetrating the header.
  • a secondary or backup passive air cooling system 400 is provided to initiate air cooling by natural convection of the containment vessel 200 if, for some reason, the water inventory i the primary annulus 13 were to be depleted during a thermal reactor related event (e.g. LOCA or reactor scram).
  • the air cooling system 400 may be comprised of a plurality of vertical inlet air conduits 401 spaced circumferential ly around the containment vessel 200 in the primary annulus 333.
  • Each air conduit 401 includes an inlet 402 which penetrates the sidewalls 320 of the containment enclosure structure (CBS) 300 and is open to the atmosphere outside to draw in ambient cooling air.
  • Inlets 402 are preferably positioned near the upper end of the containment enclosure structure's sidewalls 320.
  • the air conduits 4 1 extend vertically downwards inside the annulus 313 and terminate a short distance above the ba.se mat 304 of the foundation (e.g. approximately I. foot) to allow air to escape from the open bottom ends of ihe conduits.
  • the primary annulus 313 acts as the ultimate heat sink for the heat generated inside the containment vessel 200.
  • the water in this annular reservoir also acts to maintain the temperature of all crane vertical support columns 331 (described earlier) at essentially the same temperature thus ensuring the levelness of the crane rails (not shown) at ail times which are mounted in. the larger portion 21 of the containment vessel 200.
  • FIG. 1 This figure is a simplified diagrammatic representation of the reactor containment system 100 without ail of the appurtenances and structures described herein for clarity in describing the active heat transfer and rejection processes performed by the system,
  • containment vessel 200 sidewalls or shell 204 (since the shell of the containment is cooler due the water in the annulus 313).
  • the vapor then condenses on the vertical shell walls by losing its latent heat to the containment structure metal which in turn rejects the heat to the water in the animlus 313 through the longitudinal fins 220 and exposed portions of the shell 204 inside the annulus.
  • the water in the annulus 313 heats up and eventually evaporates forming a vapor which rises in the annulus and leaves the containment enclosure structure (CBS) 300 through the secondary annulus 330, head space 318, and finally the vent 317 to atmosphere.
  • CBS containment enclosure structure
  • the water inventory may be easily replenished using external means if available to compensate for the evaporative loss of water. However, if no replenishment water is provided or available, then the height o the water column in the annulus 31 will begin to drop.
  • the containment vessel 200 also starts to heat the air in the annulus above the water level, thereby rejecting portion of the heat to the air which rises and is vented front the containment enclosure structure (CBS) 300 through vent 3 57 with the water vapor.
  • CBS containment enclosure structure
  • provisions e.g. water inlet line
  • CES containment enclosure structure
  • the mass of water inventory i this annular reservoir is sized such that the decay heat, produced in the containment vessel 200 has declined sufficiently such that the containment, is capable of rejecting all its heat through air cooling alone once the water inventory is depleted.
  • the containment vessel 200 preferably has sufficient heat rejection capability to limit the pressure and temperature of the vapor mix inside the accoimnenl vessel (within its design limits) b rejecting the thermal energy rapidly.
  • the water in the annular reservoir heats up eventually evaporating.
  • the containment vessel 200 rejects the heat to the annuius by sensible heating and then by a combination of evaporation and air cooling, and then further eventually by natural convection air cooling only as described herein.
  • the reactor containment system 1 0 is designed and configured so that air cooling alone is sufficient to reject the decay heat once the effective water inventory in an nuisanceus 313 is entirely depleted.
  • the heat rejection can continue indefinitely until alternate means are a vailable to bring the plant back online. Not only does the system operate indefinitely, but the operation is entirely passi ve without the use of any pumps or operator intervention.
  • an improved component cooling water (CCW) system 600 is provided.
  • the component cooling water system 600 generally includes a heat exchanger 610 and one or more component cooling water pumps 601 which are fluidly connected via a substantially closed recirculating cooling water piping loop 636 as opposing to prior once-through cooling systems which may utilize raw water from a natural body of water for cooling.
  • a majority of the cooling water piping loop 636 may be situated in the nuclear power generation plant external to the nuclear reactor containment vessel 200 and containment enclosure structure 300 surrounding the containment vessel (see, e.g. FIG . 25).
  • the cooling water piping loo 636 collects and distributes heated and cooled cooling water from and to balance of plant equipment
  • Pump 601 may be any suitable type of pump (e.g. centrifugal, etc.) having an appropriate suction and discharge head for the application conditions and desired flow rate, Any number or arrangement of purapa 601 may be provided to circulate cooling water through the piping loop 636.
  • component coolin water system 600 advantageously utilizes the water in the water-filled annulus 313 (alternatively referred to herein as annular water reservoir 313) formed between the inner containment vessel 200 and outer containment enclosure structure 300 (previously described herein) as a functional heat transfer medium or sink for transferring heat to/from the annular water reservoir and component, cooling water system 600.
  • heat exchanger 610 may be physically located within and immersed/submerged in the annular water reservoir for direct transfer of heat to the reservoir, in general, the cooling water piping loop 636 recirculates component cooling water within a closed flow loop between the annular water reservoir 13 and plant, equipment for cooling, as further described herein.
  • heat exchanger 610 of the component cooling water system 600 in one non-limiting configuration is a shell-less heat exchanger including a vertically elongated and oriented channel-up U-tube bundle 1 1 comprising a plurality of U- shaped heat transfer tubes 620 attached at both ends to a tube sheet 12 formed adjacent channel 61 .
  • Channel 613 defines an interior space which may be divided into an inlet chamber 614 and outiet chamber 61 5 by a vertical partition plate 16.
  • the bottom of inlet/outlet chambers 614, 15 are formed by an upper side of the tube sheet 612.
  • the top of inlet/outlet chambers 614, 615 may be closed by a top cover 618 removably attached to the upper end of the channel 13.
  • Heat exchanger 61 includes an inlet nozzle 630 flitidi connected to inlet chamber 6 S 4 through, a sidewall of channel 1.3 and an outiet nozzle 631 fluid!y connected to outlet chamber 615 through a sidewall of the channel.
  • the inlet and outlet, nozzles 630, 631 are may be positioned in opposing relationship to each other on channel 61.3 in one embodiment; however, other suitable arrangements are possible.
  • Inlet and outlet nozzles 630, 63 fJuid ly connect the heat exchanger 610 to the inlet cooling water piping 632 and outlet cooling water pipin 633 of the component, cooling water system 600.
  • inlet and outlet cooling water piping 632, 633 are fluidly coupled to the closed cooling water piping loop 636 of the component cooling water system 600 (see also FIG. 25),
  • inlet and outlet nozzles 630, 631 may be flanged for coupling to mating flanges formed on the ends of the inlet and outlet cooling water piping 632, 633.
  • the flanged joints 6.1 ? between the nozzles and piping may be bolted in one embodiment, or welded, in other embodiments. It will be appreciated, however, that inlet and outlet cooling water piping 632, 33 may be directly welded to inlet and outlet nozzles 630, 631 without the use of .flanges. Any suitable type of fluid connection type may be used.
  • Inlet and outle cooling water piping 632, 633 may be arranged to extend through suitably configured penetrations 635 formed through outer containment enclosure structure 300 in some embodiments (see, e.g. FIG. 22). Penetrations 635 may be located at any suitable elevation to allow connection of the cooling water piping to inlet and outlet no ies 630, 631 of beat exchanger 610.
  • the piping may be any suitable metallic or non-metallic piping.
  • a bolted flange joint 617 may be used to removably fasten the top cover 618 to channel 613.
  • Other suitable approaches may be used for attaching top cover 616 to channel 613.
  • the top cover 618 provides a leak -proof enclosure of the channel
  • partition plate 616 is configured and arranged to engage and form a seal with the tube sheet 612 and underside of top cover 61 8. " This is intended to prevent or minimize leakage of cooling water between the inlet chamber 14 and outlet chamber 615 on opposing sides of the partition plate 61 .
  • the partition plate 616 may have a linear bottom end or edge which may be fixedly welded to the upper side of tube sheet 612 and a linear top end or edge detachably engageable with the underside of top cover 618 via a suitable gasket and/or seal when the top cover is mounted on the channel 13.
  • the removable top cover 618 provides access to the tube sheet 612 inside the channel for plugging leaking tubes, conducting non-destructive examination and inspection of the tube sheet and tubes, or for other purposes.
  • the heat exchanger 610 in one exemplary embodiment ma be shell-less heat exchanger wherein the U-shaped tubes 620 are not enclosed and exposed for direct immersion or submersion in the water-filled annulus 31 3 of the nuclear reactor containment system 100 formed between the inner containment vessel 200 and outer containment enclosure structure 300.
  • Tubes 620 may each include two straight portions 621 and a U-shaped bend 622 disposed distal to and opposi te the tube sheet 612.
  • Each tube 620 has a first end 623 of a straight portion 621 connected through the tube sheet 612 to inlet chamber 614 and a second end 624 of a straight portion connected through the tube sheet to outlet chamber 15.
  • the end portions of the tubes 620 adjacent the tube ends may extend completely through vertical through holes formed in the tube sheet 612 from the underside to the top side of the tube sheet.
  • the tubes may be secured to the tube sheet 612 via any suitable .means, including without Hmitaiion welding, explosive expansion, of the tube end portions to the tube sheet., or other methods known in the art.
  • the U-shaped tubes 620 may be bare or optionally include fins (e.g. axial or spiral) depending on the heat transfer rate requirements of the intended application and other technical considerations.
  • Tubes 620 may be made of any suitable ferrous or non-ferrous metal or metal alloys such as, for example without limitation, aluminum or steel tubes attached to an aluminum clad or solid stainless steel tube sheet 612, respectively.
  • tubes 620 may be selected for corrosion resistance.
  • Tubes 620 may have any suitable outside diameter and wall thickness.
  • heat exchanger 610 is shown installed in the water- filled annulus (annular water reservoir) 313 that girdles the inner containment vessel 200.
  • the water inside the annular water reservoir may be kept in a non-quiescent state by recirculation pumps 663 of a reservoir recirculation system 662 (see FIG. 23) that thai draw water from and returns it to the annulus 313 which agitates the water thereby preventing the growth of algae.
  • These pump may also serve to filter the reservoir water on an ongoing basis to maintain its cleanliness.
  • the movement of water in the annular water reservoir 313 also helps promote evaporation, which helps any cooling function ascribed to it, such as removal of the Loss-of-Coolant Accident (LOCA) thermal energy as discussed elsewhere herein or removing heal from the cooling water of the component cooling water system via the heat exchanger 610 submerged in the water reservoir during normal operation of the reactor.
  • LOCA Loss-of-Coolant Accident
  • heat exchanger 610 is suspended in water-filled annulus 3 i 3 (with appropriate seismic restraints) and positioned so that a bottom end of the tube bundle 61 1 ⁇ defined by the U-shaped bends 622) is spaced above the bottom 642. of the annular water reservoir by a vertical distance V 1 , as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 .
  • the heat exchanger 10 includes one or more radially extending anchors or supports 640 preferably attached to channel 613 in a rigid manner to restrict movement of the channel when connected to a structural members (described below) inside the annular water reservoir.
  • supports 640 may be .formed of a horizontally oriented structural steel plate reinforced b a vertical gusset plate welded between the horizontal plate and side of channel 613. Numerous other variations and configurations of ' heat exchanger supports 640 are possible and ma be used.
  • the supports 640 may be mourned to the containment vessel-enclosure assembl 200-300 inside the water-filled annular 31 3 in numerous ways, in one example, the supports 640 may be bolted or welded to corresponding structural stands 641 located inside the water-filled annulus 313 and attached to the containment vessel-enclosure assembly 200- 300. in various embodiments, the stands 641 may be of the pedestal-type as shown rising from bottom. 642 of the annular water reservoir, cantiievered from the interior surface of steel inner shell 310 of the outer containment enclosure structure 300 (see 641 ' in FIG. 21 ), or a combination thereof in some non-limiting examples. Numerous other variations of stands 641 may alternatively be provided.
  • the stands 641 may be made of any suitable .material or combination of materials, including steel, concrete, or other.
  • the heat exchanger supports and stands preferably are designed and arranged to provide a seismicaily stable mounting of the heat, exchanger 10 in the water-filled annular 313.
  • the heat exchanger 10 may be disposed and hung at a suitable location in one of the "bays" 650 formed in water-filled annulus 13 between a pair of adjacent spaced apart fins 220.
  • the heat exchanger 610 may be located near the bottom 642 of the annular water reservoir so that heat transfer may continue as long as possible in situations such as a scram event when the water level in the annular 13 may be dropping due to evaporation if makeup water to the reservoir is not readily available.
  • the bay 650 in which the heat exchanger 610 is mounted in one embodiment preferabl may be the place where at least one recirculating pump 663 of the annular water reservoir recirculation piping system 662 (see, e.g. FIG. 23) delivers its flow through a well- placed discharge sparger 664 to agitate the water mass around the exposed tube bundle 611.
  • This arrangement is intended to improve flow through and between the tubes to enhance heat transfer performance, as opposed to possible locations in other bays 650 in which flow conditions may be relatively more stagnant by comparison.
  • the recirculation pump 663 draws water from the annular water reservoir 31 through outlet piping 66.1 i3 ⁇ 4udiy coupled to the reservoir at a.
  • inlet and outlet piping 660 and 661 may extend through suitable penetrations 635 formed through si.dewal.ls of outer containment enclosure structure 300 in some embodiments; however, in other possible arrangements the inlet piping may introduce recirculated water into the sparger 664 from locations other than through the sidewa!l such as from, the top of the annular water reservoir 313 (e.g. from piping running vertically downwards inside the annular water reservoir from the top).
  • Outlet piping 661 may take suction from annular water reservoir 313 at an suitabie location such as without limitation either in the same bay 650 containing sparger 6 or a different hay.
  • Recirculation pump 663 may be any suitable type of pump (e.g. centrifugal, etc.) having an appropriate suction, and discharge head for the application conditions and desired flow rate.
  • the piping may be any suitable metallic or non-metallic piping. More than one reservoir recirculation piping systems 662 and/ r sparger 664 may be provided in various embodiments.
  • the sparger 664 may be formed, of a generally horizontall oriented piping header in some embodiments having a plurality of upward facing outlet holes 665 separated by any suitable spacing.
  • the sparger 664 is located vertically beneath the heat exchanger tube bundle 61 1 and discharges recirculation water upwards at. the tube bundle.
  • Sparger 664 may be spaced at any suitabie distance below the bottom of tube hoodie 61 1. The sparger creates a localized upward flow of reservoir water in the area above and helps draws additional water from, the reservoir into the recirculation upward flow pattern.
  • Alternative sparger layouts are possible in accordance with the teachings discussed herein.
  • the bay 650 in which the heat exchanger 610 is mounted preferably may further be the place where "cold" makeup water is injected into the annular water reservoir 31 3 to replenish water lost through evaporation from the reservoir.
  • the localised makeup water flow into the ba 650 in the proximity of the heat exchanger 610 enhances heat transfer performance and cooling of heated component cooling wafer.
  • a makeup water system 670 may include a makeup water pump 671 mat takes suction from any suitable makeup water supply source externa! to the annular water reservoir 313 and discharges the makeup water through inlet piping 672 into the annular water reservoir.
  • the inlet piping 672 may be located at any suitable position in bay 650 which does not interfere with the flow pattern produced by sparger 664. but close enough to the heat exchanger 10 to obtain the thermal heat transfer performance benefit of the generally cooler water in comparison to the water held in annular water reservoir 313.
  • Inlet piping 672 may extend through a suitable penetration 635 formed through a sidewa!l of outer containment enclosure structure 300 in some embodiments; however, in other possible arrangements the inlet piping may introduce makeup water from locations other than through the sidewall such as .from the to of the annular water reservoir 3.1 (e.g. from piping running vertically downwards inside the annular water reservoir from the top).
  • Pump 671 may be any suitable type of pump (e.g. centrifugal, etc.) having an appropriate suction and discharge head for the application conditions and desired flow rate.
  • the piping 672 may be any suitable metallic or non-metallic piping.
  • the term "cold" with reference to the makeup water is a comparati ve expression that generally refers to the fact thai the makeup water is obtained from an external source other than the annular water reservoir, and preferably will have a temperature generally lower than wa er held in the annular water reservoir 313.
  • the water in the annular water reservoir may typically have a temperature greater than ambient due to the operation of the nuclear reactor inside the reactor vessel which converts some of the water into water vapor which is vented to atmosphere from the reactor vessel, as described herein. Under certain plant operating conditions, it may be possible that the makeu water may have a temperature the same as or even higher than water in the annular water reservoir which is replacing. Accordingly, the terra "cold” is used here for descriptive purposes to better describe the makeup water system and not as a term of limitation.
  • heated water received by component cooling water pump 601 from various plant equipment ffuidly coupled to the component cooling water system is pumped through cooling water inlet pipin 632 to heat, exchanger 6.10 (reference FIGS. 22, 24, and 25).
  • the heated cooling water flows through inlet nozzle 630 into inlet chamber 614 of heat exchanger 610.
  • the heated cooling water then flows downward through the tube sheet 612 and tubes 620 of tube bundle 61 , reverses direction, via tube bends 622, and flows upward through the tubes into outlet chamber 615 in channel 613,
  • the heated cooling water flowing inside the tubes 6.20 is cooled by transferring heat across the tube walls to the water held in the water-filled annulus 313 (annular water reservoir).
  • the now cooled cooling water then flows from the outlet chamber 615 through outlet piping 635 connected to the heat exchanger 610 and is returned to the component cooling water system.600 .for distribution to cool various plant equipment.
  • the heat deposited into the annular water reservoir by the heat exchanger 610 is diffused into and heats the body of the reserv oir water, and ultimately is dissipated to the environment by evaporation action from the reactor containment system 100 to the environment, as already described herein.
  • the heated water vapor from the annular water reservoir 313 may flow in a path through vent 317 in the dome 316 of the containment enclosure structure 300 to the environment.
  • Heat exchanger 610 has been described with respect to an exemplary, but non- limiting shell-less heat exchanger having a U-iube bundle configuration which provides advantages such as a compact configuration, economical construction (materials and fabrication ⁇ due to only a single partitioned channel 613, and maximum exposure of the heat transfer tubes along the vertical sides and bottom to the annular water reservoir 313 to optimize flow through the tube bundle.
  • shell-less heat exchanger may be used having the tubes which are exposed to the water held in the annular water reservoir 313 (i.e. shell-less heat exchanger).
  • Advantages of the new invention include; long water intake lines that feed the component cooling heat exchanger in present day nuclear plants and are known to vulnerable to corrosion and degradation from the elements are eliminated, and the heat exchanger tube bundle is not subject, to fouling of its heat transfer surfaces caused by prolonged contact with raw water that afflicts state of the art, 1 will be appreciated that in some embodiments, multiple heat exchangers 610 can be arrayed in parallel to increase the cooling capacit of the component cooling waier system 60 as necessary. If multiple units are used, then maintenance work on any one unit can be performed while the reactor is on line,

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un système d'eau de refroidissement de composants pour une centrale nucléaire. Dans un mode de réalisation, le système comprend une cuve de confinement interne renfermant un réacteur nucléaire et une structure d'enceinte de confinement externe. Un réservoir d'eau annulaire est formé entre la cuve de confinement et la structure d'enceinte de confinement, produisant un dissipateur de chaleur pour dissiper de l'énergie thermique. Un échangeur de chaleur sans enceinte est disposé, ayant un faisceau de tubes exposé immergé dans de l'eau conservée à l'intérieur du réservoir d'eau annulaire. Une eau de refroidissement de composants venant de la centrale s'écoule à travers le faisceau de tubes, et est refroidie par transfert de chaleur au réservoir d'eau annulaire. Dans un mode de réalisation non limitatif, le faisceau de tubes peut être en forme de U.
EP13830536.2A 2012-08-21 2013-08-21 Système d'eau de refroidissement de composants pour centrale nucléaire Withdrawn EP2888742A2 (fr)

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US201261691533P 2012-08-21 2012-08-21
PCT/US2013/042070 WO2013177196A1 (fr) 2012-05-21 2013-05-21 Système de protection de confinement de réacteur passif
PCT/US2013/056023 WO2014031767A2 (fr) 2012-08-21 2013-08-21 Système d'eau de refroidissement de composants pour centrale nucléaire

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WO2014031767A3 (fr) 2014-04-24

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