Patent · US Expired

Reactor steam isolation cooling system

US5158742A · kind A · utility

18Cited by
4References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 1991
Grant dateOct 27, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S165/911
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A reactor steam isolation cooling system includes a containment building surrounding a reactor pressure vessel having a reactor core for generating reactor steam. An isolation pool is disposed outside the containment building and is vented to the atmosphere. An isolation condenser includes a plurality of heat pipes collectively defining at one end thereof a condenser assembly disposed outside the containment building and inside the isolation pool, and at an opposite end thereof an evaporator assembly extending inside the containment building. Reactor steam is selectively channeled to the evaporator assembly for heating a working liquid therein and condensing the reactor steam to form reactor condensate for return to the pressure vessel. The working liquid is vaporized in the evaporator assembly and flows to the condenser assembly wherein it releases heat into the isolation pool with the working condensate therefrom returning to the evaporator assembly.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.