US3086471A

US3086471A - Unitary neutronic reactor-powered pump

Info

Publication number: US3086471A
Application number: US768942A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephen F Malaker
Original assignee: Daystrom Inc
Current assignee: Daystrom Inc
Priority date: 1958-10-22
Filing date: 1958-10-22
Publication date: 1963-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 1980-04-23

Description

, Qua-.4 MW 9 April 23, 1963 Filed Oct. 22, 1958 MALAKER 3,086,471

UNITARY NEUTRONIC REACTOR-POWERED PUMP 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. BY Stephen FMuluker dTTORNEYS WM April 23, 1963 s. F. MALAKER UNITARY NEUTRONIC REACTOR-POWERED PUMP 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 22, 1958 INVENTOR.

EYS I r e v m 0, n I e I h s p e '8;

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

11 TTORNEYS BY Stephen F. Muloker S. F. MALAKER UNITARY NEUTRONIC REACTOR-POWERED PUMP all/d! April 23, 1963 Filed Oct. 22, 1958 Ill L Mm Z M :/i /.7 at M: 86, 9c 4 l I22 2 April 23, 1963 s. F. MALA KER 3,085,471

UNITARY NEUTRONIC REACTOR-POWERED PUMP Filed Oct. 22, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 3

Turbine Main-Water Pump Boiling Water Reactor Condenser Water Treatment Feed -Wcter Pump INVENTOR.

BY Stephen F. Muloker 7 k j\a M lfr gmms 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS A ril 23, 1963 s. F. MALAKER UNITARY NEUTRONIC REACTOR-POWERED PUMP Filed 001;. 22, 1958 FIG. 5

.onononomQMov 3,086,471 UNrrAnY NEUrRoNrc nnacron-rownnnn PUMP This invention relates to a unitary neutronic reactorpowered pump combination arranged within a common casing sealed housing enclosure, and which is adapted to be operated when disposed substantially below ground level and wholly or partly submerged in the liquid to be pumped.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a selfcontained substantially automated unit comprising in combination a reactor core, a pressure vessel within which high pressure steam is generated, 'a steam turbine or other steam operated prime mover, a condenser, and pump elements, together with their respective appurtenances all sealed within a common casing so that the unit may be operated while submerged. Since the combination unit of the invention is to be operated substantially below ground level and partially or wholly submerged, no added structure for shielding radiation emanating from the reactor is required since shielding will be provided in situ, by the surrounding earth or water.

The improved apparatus of the invention may be advantageously employed in aquifers for irrigation in arid regions and generally for the pumping of water in remote areas, or in flooded mines and the like, where long and continuous pumping is required.

The unitary combination of the present invention possesses a number of important advantages which are greatly enhanced by the use of a boiling water type closed cycle reactor in a preferred combination. Among such advantages are increased efficiency, simplicity, compactness, symmetry of construction, arrangement of the several components in substantially concentric casings about the reactor core, and low weight because of the absence of shielding structure.

The boiling water reactor of a preferred embodiment of the combination of the invention may be a closed cycle, solid fuel, heavy water (D moderated and cooled unit. Because of the self-regulating effect of steam-bubble formation, the reactor can be operated continuously in a stable fashion under boiling conditions. Provision is made for adding water to the boiling volume by automated controls. The important advantages accruing from the use of a reactor of this type in the combination unit of the present invention is that the use of D 0 enables the use of a smaller reactor core thus reducing the volume for a given core in power density. It also produces steam directly without the use of a heat exchanger so that the desired power production is attained with lower temperatures and pressures in the reactor and with greatly reduced demand for pumping power to effect the return of water from the steam condenser to the pressure vessel of the reactor.

In the said preferred embodiment of the present invention the reactor core heat output is regulated by a plurality of control rods, and the reactor control system is adapted to provide continuous automatic self-control over long periods of time during the life of the reactor core. Once the reactor has been brought up to criticality the controls under steam power maintain the reactor operation at predetermined levels. Since the reactor control system in accordance with the invention is essentially mechanical, the use of complex electric or electronic controls is avoided.

The steam turbine driven main-water pump of the said preferred embodiment of the invention is of the mixed 3,86,471 Patented Apr. 23, 1963 flow type which combines radial flow (due to centrifugal force) with axial flow (due to vertical blade configuration). Among the important advantages attained by the use of this type of pump in the combination, are increased efliciency and the attainment of symmetrical and streamline design for the common casing or sealed housing enclosure of the entire unit. The latter is achieved by providing a central axis of symmetry with which the axes of both the steam turbine and the main-water turbine pump may be made coincident.

The mixed flow type turbine main-water pump of said preferred embodiment of the invention serves both as a heat exchanger as well as a pump by so designing the turbine as to provide large pumping areas whereat heat is transferred from the hot side to the cold side through the water being pumped. This greatly increases the efficiency of the unit.

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view taken along the principal axis of the main-water pump of said preferred embodiment of the unitary combination of the invention.

FIG. 1a schematically illustrates the flow of condensate and the flow of main-water.

FIG. 2a is an enlarged axial sectional view of the upper portion of FIG. 1, showing the neutronic reactor.

FIG. 2b is an enlarged axial sectional view of the lower portion of FIG. 1, which includes the steam turbine.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the complete reactor-steam closed cycle of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing the unitary nuclear powered pump of the invention disposed substantially below ground level, partly submerged in the water to be pumped, whereat the reactor shielding is provided by the surrounding earth and water.

FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the combination of the invention wherein both the steam operated prime mover and the main-water pump are of the reciprocating piston type.

Referring now to FIG. 1 and the enlarged illustrations of portions thereof shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the structure and mode of operation of that preferred embodiment will now be described under the following headings:

(a) Reactor and controls;

(b) Steam cycle;

(0) Pumping of main-water; and (d) Structure.

In FIGS. 1, 1a, 2a and 2b, like reference numerals are employed to identify the same parts in each of those drawmgs.

(a) Reactor and Controls The neutronic reactor comprising the pressure vessel 69 and the reactor core 71 is of the boiling water type utilizing heavy water (D 0) as the moderator and coolant. The use of D 0 enables the use of a substantially smaller reactor core and thus reduces the volume for a given core in power density.

The heat output of the reactor core 71 is controlled by conventional control rods of three different types, one of each being shown, namely, the scram rod 67, the coarse control or shim rod 68 and the fine control rod 72. The reactor is brought to criticality by slowly raising the scram rod 67. This is accomplished by dropping atmospheric pressure normally extant in the air line 51 which in turn drops the air pressure in the cylinder 60 above the piston therein. Air under atmospheric pressure communicates through ports with the lower chamber of cylinder 60 which thus raises the scram rod 67 bringing the reactor to criticality. Thereupon steam is (b) Steam Cycle The reactor core 71 is shown immersed in heavy water (D to a level indicated at 65. The core '71 directly heats the water and converts it to high pressure steam. The steam is then conducted to the steam-turbine 32-34 by and through the steam ring 15, the steam line 18 and steam chest 31. From the chest 31 the high pressure steam passes through velocity compounded turbine stages 32 and is expanded through successive reaction turbine stages 34.

Each steam turbine rotor stage, two of which are indicated at 85 is fixed to the vertical shaft 86. The condenser housing 17 is also fixed to the shaft 86 by virtue "of its integral construction with the vertical main-water turbine pump 38 the vanes 39 of which and a boss 90 being fixed to the shaft 86 and are rotatable therewith. Hence, the condenser housing 17, together with its helical cooling tubes 19, radial condenser vanes 87 and the blades 4 of the last stage of the main-water turbine pump 38 all rotate in unison with the rotor section of the mainwater turbine pump 38.

Effluent steam from the exhaust side of the steam turbine enters a condensing space provided between the outer wall of the pressure vessel housing 20, the outer wall of the turbine stator housing 35, and the inner wall of the condenser housing 17. As exhaust steam condenses in this condensing space or condenser, it tends to be precipitated at the lower portion of the condenser and collects in the conical section adjacent the boss 90 of the main-water turbine 38. However, much of the condensate will collect on the inner surface of the housing wall 17, the outer surface of the helical tubes 19 and on the radial vanes 87. But due to the rotation of the housing 17 and the other components as explained above, all condensate no matter where it is precipitated or where it collects, will be forced outwardly by centrifugal force and tends to collect against the inner surface of the housing wall 17 and in the helical tangential groove formed between the inner surface of the housing wall 17 and the outer surface of the helical tubes 19 as indicated at 24. Any condensate collecting in the conical section about the boss 90 of the main-water turbine 38 will be thrown outwardly by the action of the vanes 89.

Relative axial motion indicated by the arrow a in FIG. 1a is imparted to the condensate by virtue of its own inertia, its relatively low velocity, and the helical configuration of the tubes 19. The condenser rotates in a clockwise direction viewed looking down from above the'upper portion of FIG. 1. The vertical movement of the condensate as indicated by the arrow a of FIG. 1a is a true axial motion. Due to friction ofthe condenser wall and helical tubes 19 a rotational component is added which causes the condensate to follow a helical path as shown in FIG. 1a. This path is the opposite or reverse of that of the helical tubes 19.

When the condensate arrives at the top of the condenser where it comes in contact with vanes fixed to the flared upper end 12 of the pressurevessel housing 20, the vanes 10 divert the condensate radially inward toward the center of the flared collector 12 where the condensate drains into an annular collector 62. From this point the condensate enters a helical feed-water tube 23 through duct 63. Since the feed-water tube is imbedded in the graphite reflector 21 surrounding the pressure vessel housing 69, the condensate becomes heated as it travels down through the tube 23 to the feed-water pump 27. This pump is a multi-stage centrifugal water pump driven by a gear 79 fixed to the vertical shaft 86 and meshes with the pump pinion 80.

Feed-water from the feed-water heater tube 23 enters the feed-water pump 27 through the duct pipe 25. After passing through the pump the feed-water enters the pressure vessel through the feed-water intake line 22 and the feed-water ring 70, whereupon the cycle is repeated.

An ion exchange water purifier 57 serves to maintain contamination of the reactor water at a relatively low level, by constantly sampling condensate which drains down over the flared collector 12. The sampling is schematically indicated by arrow a entering a turned-up tube leading to the top of the ion exchange water purifier 57. After passing through the ion exchanger, the purified condensate schematically indicated by the arrow a" rejoins and comingles with the main volume of condensate in the annular collector 62.

Ultimately all of the condensate passes through the ion exchanger 57 and since the exchanger is subject to saturation after long periods of operation, provision for removal and cleaning is made. Access to the ion exchanger 57 is provided by a cable 53 which permits lifting of the exchanger to ground level through the vertical dry duct 2.

It is to be noted that a point of possible leakage between the condenser and fixed structure may occur at the seal 5, but due to the fact that the internal pressure of the condenser is sub-atmospheric the tendency will be for main-water to leak into the condenser through the seal 5 rather than for outward leakage of condensate to occur.

(c) Pumping of Main-Water Main-water enters the annular intake orifice or port 40 at the lower extremity of the pump 38 and it is immediately directed through a rotating water filter 43 which rotates with the condenser housing 17, since it is fixed to the turbine rotor shaft 86. The main-water after passing up through the intake port 40 enters the impeller eye of the mixed flow type main-water turbine pump 38 which combines radial flow (due to centrifugal force), with axial flow (due to vertical turbine blade configuration).

The main-water turbine pump 33 impels main-water into the base of the helical tubes 19, one element of which is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1a. As will be observed, the main-water arrow b flows up through the helical tubes 19 by virtue of the same action which im parts vertical excursion to the condensate, as explained above. It is to be noted that the pitch of the helical tubes 19 increases with height.

The upper terminal ends of the helical tubes 19 pass through the wall of the condenser housing 17 into an annular duct 58. As the main-water enter the duct 58, it is scooped up by vanes 9 which are fixed to the external housing 16. The vanes 9 divert the main-water upwards into axial flow turbine blades 4 which are fixed to and rotate with the condenser housing 17. From this point, the main-water flows up through an annular main 1 provided between the cylindrical surfaces of the

casings

16 and 2.

Provision is made for a relatively small amount of main-water to spill over the lip of the annular main duct 58 as indicated by arrow c. Such water will descend by gravity in the annular space provided by the cylindrical Walls of the pump housing or outermost casing 16 and of the condenser housing 17. It is then collected by an annular collector 91 which directs it into a reverse flow duct 92', which in turn directs flow through the rotating filter 43. This reverse flow action through the filter 43 washes away through the duct 93, a large percentage of particles that may have been collected by the filter 43. Since the filter 43 rotates, it is constantly cleansed by the efiluent water from duct 92'.

.-(d) Structure In FIGS. 1 and 2 the cylindrical outermost casing 1 together with the cylindrical inner dry-well duct or casing 2 apes r71 passes up through the check-valve 2% into the conduit 201 for delivery at the desired level.

A series (more than two) of prime movers, main-Water pumps, and feed-water pumps, all of the piston type as in FIG. 5, may be disposed symmetrically in substantial annular arrangement to provide a unitary reactor powered pump of generally greater capacity than that of the dual arrangement of FIG. 5. In the series arrangement each prime-mover operates independently of the others. Possibly during some period of time all pistons may stroke in unison, however, the mass of the piston assemblies may be made such as not to induce severe vibration during short time intervals of possible unison movement.

Other types of reactors than the boiling water type may be used in the reactor-powered pump combination Within the scope of the present invention. For this reason it is intended that the scope of the present invention be limited only by the appended claims, and not by the specific disclosure, or otherwise.

I claim:

1. A unitary neutronic reactor-powered pump comprising the combination of a boiling water type closed cycle reactor, including a pressure vessel, for producing steam, a steam operated turbine having a rotatable rotor, a turbine-type pump having a rotatable impeller adapted to be driven by said steam turbine and providing means for pumping main water, condenser means for receiving efiluent steam exhausted from said steam turbine and for reducing the same to water condensate, said condenser means having rotatably mounted means for circulating said eflluent steam as the latter reverts to condensate, feed water pump means operatively connected to said condenser means for returning the condensate from said condenser means to the interior of said pressure vessel, and a closed substantially cylindrical casing providing a common sealed housing enclosure for said reactor, pressure vessel, steam turbine, condenser means, turbine pump and feed-pump, and said closed casing having openings therein for intake and discharge respectively, of mainwater, the rotational axes of said steam turbine rotor, of said turbine pump impeller, and of said condenser circulating means being substantially coaxial with the axis of said cylindrical casing and said turbine rotor, and said turbine, said turbine pump and said condenser means being arranged in substantial symmetry about said axis of said housing, said steam turbine being positioned within said impeller and said condenser means.

2. A reactor-powered pump according to claim 1 and in which said pump impeller and said circulating means comprise annular members having axially extending helical passages therethrough.

3. A unitary neutronic reactor-powered pump comprising the combination of a boiling water type closed cycle reactor, including a pressure vessel, for producing steam, a steam operated turbine having a rotatable rotor, a turbine-type pump having a rotatable impeller adapted to be driven by said steam turbine and providing means for pumping main water, condenser means for receiving efiluent steam exhausted from said steam turbine and for reducing the same to water condensate, said condenser means having rotatably mounted means for circulating said efiiluent steam as the latter reverts to condensate, feed water pump means operatively connected to said condenser means for returning the condensate from said condenser means to the interior of said pressure vessel, and a closed substantially cylindrical casing providing a common sealed housing enclosure for said reactor, pressure vessel, steam turbine, condenser means, turbine pump and feed pump, and said closed casing having openings therein for intake and discharge respectively, of main- Water, the rotational axes of said steam turbine rotor, of said turbine pump impeller, and of said condenser circulating means being substantially coaxial with the axis 'of said cylindrical casing and said turbine rotor, said 8 reactor being positioned within at least a portion of said impeller and condenser means such that the materials thereof and the main-water and Water condensate flowing therethrough provide shielding for radiation emanating from said reactor.

4. A unitary neutronic reactor-powered pump com prising the combination of a boiling water type closed cycle reactor, including a pressure vessel, for producing steam, a steam operated turbine having a rotatable rotor, a turbine-type pump having a rotatable impeller adapted to be driven by said steam turbine and providing means for pumping main water, condenser means for receiving efiluent steam exhausted from said steam turbine and for reducing the same to water condensate, said condenser means having rotatably mounted means for circulating said efiluent steam as the latter reverts to com densate, feed water pump means operatively connected to said condenser means for returning the condensate from said condenser means to the interior of said pressure vessel, and a closed substantially cylindrical casing providing a common sealed housing enclosure for said reactor, pressure vessel, steam turbine, condenser means, turbine pump and feed-pump, and said closed casing having openings therein for intake and discharge respec tively, of main-water, the rotational axes of said steam turbine rotor, of said turbine pump impeller, and of said condenser circulating means being substantially coaxial with the axis of said cylindrical casing and said turbine rotor, and at least partially coextensive such that a portion of one of said rotatable elements is rotatably mounted within another of said rotatable elements.

5. A unitary neutronic reactor-powered pump comprising the combination of a boiling water type closed cycle reactor, including a pressure vessel, for producing steam, a steam operated turbine having a rotatable rotor, a turbine-type pump having a rotatable impeller adapted to be driven by said steam turbine and providing means for pumping main water, condenser means for receiving effluent steam exhausted from said steam turbine and for reducing the same to water condensate, said condenser means having rotatably mounted means for circulating said effiuent steam as the latter reverts to condensate, feed water pump means operatively connected to said condenser means for returning the condensate from said condenser means to the interior of said pressure vessel, and a closed substantially cylindrical casing providing a common sealed housing enclosure for said reactor, pressure vessel, steam turbine, condenser means, turbine pump and feed-pump, and said closed casing having openings therein for intake and discharge respectively, of main-Water, the rotational axes of said steam turbine rotor, of said turbine pump impeller, and of said condenser circulating means being substantially coaxial with the axis of said cylindrical casing and said turbine rotor, and at least partially coextensive such that a portion of said turbine rotor is rotatably mounted within said pump impeller and at least a portion of said pump impeller is rotatably mounted within said circulating means of said condenser means.

6.- A unitary neutronic reactor-powered pump comprising the combination of a boiling Water type closed cycle reactor, including a pressure vessel, for producing steam, a steam operated turbine having a rotatable rotor, a turbine-type pump having a rotatable impeller adapted to be driven by said steam turbine and providing means for pumping main water, condenser means for receiving efiluent steam exhausted from said steam turbine and for reducing the same to water condensate, said condenser means having rotatably mounted means for circulating said eflluent steam as the latter reverts to condensate, feed water pump means operatively connected to said condenser means for returning the condensate from said condenser means to the interior of said pressure vessel, and a closed substantially cylindrical casing providing a common sealed provides an annular conduit for the pumped main-water. The dry-well casing 2 may extend to the ground level to provide an enclosure for the reactor start-up air line 51 and to permit limited access to the

linkage

46, 47, 49, 50 between the main-water flow-rate monitor 48 and the scram valve 56. It also provides enclosure (a) for the cable control of the ion exchange water purifier 57; (b) the reactor start up air line 51; (c) the dash pot 52 for the fine control rod 72; (d) the coarse control rod stepping cylinder 59; and (e) the scram cylinder 60 and the steam scram line 54 to the cylinder 60.

The lower portion of the casing 2 is provided with a cylindrical graphite plug 61 through which passes three extension actuating rods 64, one each connected to the scram safety rod 67, the course control (or shim) rod 68 and the fine control rod 72 in the cylindrical pressure vessel 69 enclosing the reactor core 71.

The cylindrical inner pressure vessel 69 is bolted or otherwise secured to the lower portion of the casing 2. The cylindrical external pressure vessel housing 20 surrounds both the pressure vessel 69 and an interposed cylindrical graphite neutron reflector envelope 21.

A third cylindrical casing providing the steam turbine housing 35 is bolted or otherwise secured to the cylindrical pressure vessel 69. At the upper portion of the casing and steam turbine housing 35 there is disposed in the space above the turbine (a) the multistage centrifugal feed-water pump 27 driven by the pinion 80 and drive gear 79 which latter in turn is driven by the turbine shaft 86; (b) a fly-ball governor 76 disposed adjacent the feed-water pump 27 driven by the pinion 7S and drive gear 79 which latter as just described, is driven by the turbine shaft 86; and (c) the steam throttle 28 for admitting steam to the turbine rotors 85 under the control of the fiy-ball governor 76 with its yokelink 77 damped by the dash pot 26.

The mixed flow main-water pump 38 is arranged at the lowermost portion of the cylindrical casing 16 with the vanes 39 thereof fixedly mounted on the turbine shaft 86.

A single row radial-thrust bearing 45 for the turbine shaft 86 is provided at the lower closed end of casing 16 and supported by structural vanes 44. Closely adjacent the bearing 45 a double row radial-thrust bearing 42 is provided, also for turbine shaft 86, which bearing is supported by the casing 16 with structural vanes 41. Additional radial thrust bearings 88 are provided adjacent the lower end of the turbine rotor blading stages 85.

The upper end of turbine shaft 86 is provided with an axial-radial thrust bearing having an upper race 81, a lower race 83 and conical roller bearings 82 all supported from the turbine housing 35.

The condenser housing 17 which is mounted upon the turbine rotor shaft 86 and rotates therewith, is provided at its upper end with an axial-radial thrust bearing having an upper race 6 and conical roller bearings 7, the lower race 8 being affixed to and supported by the inner casing 2. A seal 5 is provided between the inner casing 2 and the condenser housing 17.

The symmetry of construction of the pressure vessel 69, the pressure vessel housing 20, the rotatable condenser housing 17, and the external housing 16, surrounding the main-water pump 38, all in substantially concentric arrangement about the reactor core 71 and the turbine shaft 86 results in the attainment of increased efficiency and compactness. The absence of shielding structure also contributes to compactness and relatively low weight of the combination.

Since the several components of the combination of FIGS. 1, 2a and 2b are sealed within a common external casing 16, 1 the unit may be operated while submerged as schematically shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 3 which is a flow diagram of the reactor steam-cycle of the embodiment of FIG. 1 (with the several components labeled). It shows schematically the complete closed cycle of steam operation. Thus, the steam generated in the pressure vessel of the boiling water reactor is supplied to the steam turbine to drive the same and the turbine in turn drives the main-water pump. Exhaust steam from the turbine is condensed in the condenser. The condensate after treatment is pumped back into the reactor by the feedwater pump which latter is also driven by the steam turbine.

In FIG. 4 a diagrammatic illustration, a unitary nuclear powered pump in accordance with the invention, is shown disposed substantially below the ground level 101 partly submerged in the water table 102. Water is pumped to the ground level 101 through the annular space between the walls of the vertical conduit 103 and the walls of the dry well tube 109' which is concentric with the conduit 103. The latter, of course, corresponds to and is an extension of the internal wall 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 20. It provides an access passage for the cables, control lines and pneumatic pressure conduits required for the control of the reactor. As shown in FIG. 4 the conduit 103 comes to ground level where it is connected to an air chamber 104. The dry well 109 may, as shown in FIG. 4, extend through the pressure chamber and have an opening at any convenient location outside the air chamber. Distribution conduits 105, 106 are each provided with control valves 10-7, 108, respectively, and supply the pumped water at any desired point or points.

Since the nuclear powered pump 100 as schematically shown in FIG. 4 is operated substantially below ground level 101 and submerged in the water table 102 no added structure is required for shielding radiation from the reactor since shielding is provided by the surrounding earth and water.

An alternative embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 5, provides a unitary reactor powered pump in which piston type steam operated

prime movers

151, 152 are employed to operate piston type main-

water pumps

153, 154 and piston type feed-water pumps 155,

156, all arranged within a common casing sealed housing enclosure 100. The pistons of the prime mover 151, the main-water pump 153, and the feed-water pump 155, respectively, are each connected to the piston rod 157 and each of the

pistons

152, 154 and 156, respectively, are connected to the piston rod 158. Each of these two systems operate independently and the direction of movement of rod 157 will be at random with respect to that of rod 158.

Like the reactor of FIG. 1, the reactor 159 of FIG. 5, schematically shoWn, may be of the boiling water type having its core 101 immersed in heavy water to a level indicated at 160. The core 101 of the reactor 159 directly heats the water and converts it to high pressure steam within the vessel 161. The steam so generated is admitted to both the cylinders 162., 163 through

ports

164, 165, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 5, the piston 151 in cylinder 163 has reached the top of its upward stroke. When this occurs, the expanded steam in the lower half of the cylinder 163, below the piston 151 is exhausted through the port 167 into the condenser 169.

Similar operation to that just described occurs in respect of the cylinder 162. Its steam is exhausted through the port 166 into the condenser 168.

Feed-

water pumps

170, 171 arranged in the hot-well of the

condensers

168, 169, respectively, have

pistons

156, 155, respectively, which force the condensate into a regenerative feed-water heater which includes

passages

181, 183, 185, 187, until the condensate is returned as at 189.

The main-water to be pumped to ground level is taken in by each of the

pistons

153, 154 on the upstroke and on the downstroke it is forced into the

tubes

190, 191, respectively, of the

condensers

168, 169, thereupon it housing enclosure for said reactor, pressure vessel, steam turbine, condenser means, turbine pump and feed-pump, and said closed casing having openings therein for intake and discharge respectively, of main-water, the rotational axes of said steam turbine rotor, or said turbine pump impeller, and of said condenser circulating means being substantially coaxial with the axis of said cylindrical casing and said turbine rotor, and at least partially coextensive such that at least a portion of said pump impeller is rotatably mounted within said circulating means of said condenser means and said turbine rotor is rotatably mounted Within said pump impeller, and said reactor being positioned within that portion of said impeller which is also within said circulating means, whereby the materials of said pump and condenser means and the water and condensate flowing therein provide shielding for radiation emanating from said reactor.

7. A reactor-powered pump according to claim 6 and in which said pump impeller and said circulating means comprise annular members having axially extending helical passages therethrough.

8. A unitary neutronic reactor-powered pump combination adapted to be operated when disposed substantially below ground level and wholly or partly submerged in the water to be pumped comprising a boiling water solid fuel type heavy water moderated closed cycle reactor including a core, control rods movable with respect to said core and adapted to adjust the criticali-ty and regulate the heat produced by the reactor, at substantially cylindrical pressure vessel enclosing said reactor and heavy water and within which steam is adapted to be generated by the heat produced by the reactor, a steam operated turbine, a cylindrical casing enclosing said turbine, means for supplying steam to said steam turbine from said pressure vessel, a turbine type water pump adapted to be driven by said steam tunbine and providing means for pumping main-water, condenser means for receiving efiiuent steam exhausted from said steam turbine and for reducing the same to water condensate, feedwater pump means adapted to be driven by said steam turbine for returning the water condensate to the said pressure vessel, a closed substantially cylindrical casing providing a common sealed housing enclosure for said reactor, pressure vessel, steam turbine casing, main-water pump, condenser and feed Water pump, and having openings therein for intake and discharge of main-water, respectively, said sealed housing enclosure having substantial symmetry about its longitudinal axis, said pressure vessel, steam turbine casing and main-water turbine pump being disposed within said sealed housing enclosure with 10 the several axes thereof substantially coincident with the said axis of said housing enclosure.

9. A unitary neutronic reactor-powered pump combination adapted to be operated when disposed substantially below ground level and wholly or partly submerged in the water to be pumped comprising a boiling water solid fuel type heavy water moderated closed cycle reactor including a core, a plurality of control rods each movable with respect to said core and adapted to adjust the criticality and regulate the heat produced by the reactor, a pressure vessel enclosing said reactor core, heavy water and control rods, and within which vessel steam is generated by the heat produced by the reactor, a steam operated turbine, a plurality of piston type steam cylinders one for each of said control rods, disposed exterior said pressure vessel and adapted to actuate said control rods to maintain said reactor operation at predetermined levels, means for controllably supplying steam to said steam turbine from said pressure vessel, means for controllably supplying steam to said steam cylinders actuating said control rods, a turbine-type water pump adapted to be driven by said steam turbine and providing means for pumping main-water, condenser means including a rotatable housing for receiving effluent steam exhausted from said steam turbine and for reducing the same to water condensate, a shaft upon which the rotor of said steam turbine is mounted, said rotatable condenser housing and said turbine water pump rotor being mounted upon and driven by the said steam turbine shaft, and feed-water pump means driven by said steam turbine shaft and adapted to return water condensate to said pressure vessel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,279,421 Petermoller Sept. 17, 1918 1,634,304 Schleyer July 5, 1927 2,346,372 Foottit et al. Apr. 11, 1944 2,726,606 Davidson Dec. 13, 1955 2,772,834 Swenson et al. Dec. 4, 1956 2,957,815 Pacault et al. Oct. 25, 1960 2,967,809 Reed Jan. 10, 1961 2,982,712 Heckm'an May 2, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,007,442 Germany May 2, 1957 OTHER REFERENCES ANL-5327 (Del.), by M. Treshow, September 3, 1957.

0 Pages 5-32. Available from US. Atomic Energy Technical Information Service, Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Claims

1. A UNITARY NEUTRONIC REACTOR-POWERED PUMP COMPRISING THE COMBINATION OF A BOILING WATER TYPE CLOSED CYCLE REACTOR, INCLUDING A PRESSURE VESSEL, FOR PRODUCING STEAM, A STEAM OPERATED TURBINE HAVING A ROTATABLE ROTOR, A TURBINE-TYPE PUMP HAVING A ROTATABLE IMPELLER ADAPTED TO BE DRIVEN BY SAID STEAM TURBINE AND PROVIDING MEANS FOR PUMPING MAIN WATER, CONDENSER MEANS FOR RECEIVING EFFLUENT STEAM EXHAUSTED FROM SAID STEAM TURBINE AND FOR REDUCING THE SAME TO WATER CONDENSATE, SAID CONDENSER MEANS HAVING ROTATABLY MOUNTED MEANS FOR CIRCULATING SAID EFFLUENT STEAM AS THE LATTER REVERTS TO CONDENSATE, FEED WATER PUMP MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID CONDENSER MEANS FOR RETURNING THE CONDENSATE FROM SAID CONDENSER MEANS TO THE INTERIOR OF SAID PRESSURE VESSEL, AND A CLOSED SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL CASING PROVIDING A COMMON SEALED HOUSING ENCLOSURE FOR SAID REACTOR, PRESSURE VESSEL, STEAM TURBINE, CONDENSER MEANS, TURBINE PUMP AND FEED-PUMP, AND SAID CLOSED CASING HAVING OPENINGS THEREIN FOR INTAKE AND DISCHARGE RESPECTIVELY, OF MAINWATER, THE ROTATIONAL AXES OF SAID STEAM TURBINE ROTOR, OF SAID TURBINE PUMP IMPELLER, AND OF SAID CONDENSER CIRCULATING MEANS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY COAXIAL WITH THE AXIS OF SAID CYLINDRICAL CASING AND SAID TURBINE ROTOR, AND SAID TURBINE, SAID TURBINE PUMP AND SAID CONDENSER MEANS BEING ARRANGED IN SUBSTANTIALLY SYMMETRY ABOUT SAID AXIS OF SAID