FR2330123A2 - Emergency cooler for a nuclear reactor - has branches of limited impedance from manifold into individual module circuits - Google Patents

Abstract

The parent patent describes an emergency cooling system for a nuclear reactor, the core of which is formed by (N) independent modules, and in which each module (Mi) is traversed by a heat transferring fluid moved by a pump. (Pi). The layout includes a manifold (C) and (N) branches (Si) - where (i) is equal to 1.2...N. Each branch (Si) connects the manifold to a piping circuit (Ki) between pump (Pi) and module (Mi). The hydraulic circuits of all the modules are interconnected via the manifold. If a pump of a module (Mi) fails, the reactor is stopped and there is a lowering of pressure between pump (Pi) and the reactor. As the difference branches (Si) are joined to the manifold (C) at points where the other pumps are working, the press. in the manifold is high and the heat transferring fluid is moved via the branch (Si) connected to the module (Mi) where the fall is press. has taken place due to the pump (Pi) stopping. In the addn. the branches (Si) are joined into the pipelines (Ki) such that the normal of the plane of the outlet of each branch is parallel to the direction of flow set up by the pump (Pi) in each pipeline (Ki), and is moreover directed downstream. At the point of connection the pipeline (Ki) may have the converging diverging form of a venturi. The opening of the branch (Si) is the positioned on the throat of the venturi with the opening pointing downstream. When all the pumps are working no fluid circulates through the manifold and there is very little turbulence. When a pump (Pi) breaks down, the fluid in the manifold reaches pipe (Ki) via branch (Si) and travels towards module (Mi) drawing with it the fluid in pipe (Ki), so that very little fluid moves along the other branches (S) to feed the manifold.