Patent · US Active

Pressurized water reactor compact steam generator

US9206978B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
2References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 13, 2012
Grant dateDec 8, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 13, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E30/30
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A steam generator system for a pressurized water reactor which employs an external to containment steam drum and recirculation loop piping. The steam generator system changes the arrangement of a typical pressurized water reactor recirculation steam generator by relocating the functions of steam separation and feedwater preheating outside of the reactor coolant system. The steam generator system and thermal hydraulic conditions are selected in order to minimize the size of the steam generator heat exchanger component volume inside of the containment. The external steam drum component can be isolated in accident conditions when desired and is used as a source of secondary fluid inventory for improved decay heat removal capability and tolerance for loss of feedwater events. Thus, the steam generator component volume inside of the containment is reduced and the amount of maintenance required for the reactor coolant system components are similarly reduced.

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