Expansion tank for nuclear reactor and liquid metal circulation loop system
By introducing flow guides into the nuclear reactor expansion tank, the problem of oxide particle scum formation was solved, improving flow stability and detection accuracy, and preventing loop blockage and structural damage.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511069446.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing nuclear reactor expansion boxes are prone to scum formation due to oxide particles, leading to loop blockage and structural erosion, which affects flow stability and detection accuracy.
Design an expansion tank with a flow guide to guide the flow of liquid metal, avoid direct impact on the free liquid surface, enhance particle carrying capacity, and prevent particles from agglomerating into scum.
It improves the flow stability and detection accuracy of liquid metal circulation loops, prevents scum blockage, reduces structural erosion, and enhances the reliability of the loop system.
Smart Images
Figure CN120954769A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of nuclear engineering technology, and in particular to an expansion tank and liquid metal circulation loop system for nuclear reactors. Background Technology
[0002] Advanced reactor types are among the most promising fourth-generation reactor systems, offering advantages such as compact design, high safety, high thermal efficiency, and strong adaptability. They are well-suited for platforms with specific needs, requiring small size, high power, and high flexibility. Expansion tanks used in nuclear reactors are typically located at the top of the liquid metal circulation loop to accommodate the expansion of the liquid metal and also function as sensors for temperature, gauge pressure, and liquid metal levels.
[0003] Existing expansion tanks used in nuclear reactors are mostly vertical pressure vessels, located at the top of the circuit to accommodate the volume expansion of liquid metal and to monitor the liquid metal level, temperature, and internal pressure. However, liquid metal has a high density, while the density of oxide particles in the liquid metal circulation loop is lower than that of the liquid metal. These oxide particles (mainly composed of lead oxide, iron oxide, and other metal oxide particles) readily adhere to each other on the liquid metal surface, forming agglomerates that manifest as scum. Due to their structural characteristics, vertical expansion tanks cause particles to easily suspend at the liquid surface and gradually aggregate to form scum. Furthermore, some larger scum particles are carried into the circuit by the liquid metal. Over long-term operation of the liquid metal circulation loop, these larger scum particles gradually deposit on the surfaces of structural components, eroding the circuit structure. This scum is difficult to remove, easily clogging the circuit and ultimately leading to system failure.
[0004] Therefore, designing an expansion tank and liquid metal circulation loop with flow stability for nuclear reactors is of urgent practical significance. Summary of the Invention
[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an expansion tank and liquid metal circulation loop system for nuclear reactors with flow stability.
[0006] An expansion box for a nuclear reactor includes a box body with an internal accommodating cavity;
[0007] An input pipe includes an input section disposed within the accommodating cavity, the lower end of the input section being connected to the bottom wall of the accommodating cavity, and a flow guide port being provided on the side of the input section;
[0008] A flow guide covers the top of the input section and defines the flow guide port with the top of the input section;
[0009] An output pipe is connected to the housing and communicates with the accommodating cavity.
[0010] In this embodiment of the application, due to the introduction of the flow guide, the liquid metal entering the expansion tank of the nuclear reactor from the input pipe will not directly impact the free liquid surface of the existing liquid metal in the containment cavity. The flow guide can increase the pressure at the input port, so that the metal oxide particles mixed in the liquid metal can be flushed out more efficiently and flow back with the liquid metal, instead of settling and accumulating in the containment cavity to form scum and block the circuit.
[0011] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the flow guide is located on the side of the input portion facing the output pipe.
[0012] In one embodiment, the guide member has a guide surface on the side facing the input section, and the guide surface is inclined away from the input section along the direction from the input section toward the output pipe.
[0013] In one embodiment, the number of flow guide ports is multiple, and the multiple flow guide ports are arranged at circumferential intervals along the input port.
[0014] In one embodiment, a plurality of support pillars are connected between the flow guide and the top end of the input section, and the flow guide is formed between adjacent support pillars.
[0015] In one embodiment, the input pipe is connected to the bottom of the housing, and the output pipe is connected to the side wall of the housing.
[0016] In one embodiment, the output pipe forms an output port in the accommodating cavity, and the height of the guide port relative to the bottom wall of the accommodating cavity is the same as the height of the output port relative to the bottom wall of the accommodating cavity.
[0017] In one embodiment, the housing includes a conical shell portion and a cylindrical portion connected in sequence, the input pipe is connected to the cylindrical portion, and the output pipe and the cylindrical portion are respectively connected to opposite sides of the conical shell portion, and the cross-sectional area of the conical shell portion gradually decreases along the direction from the input portion toward the output pipe.
[0018] In one embodiment, the expansion box for a nuclear reactor further includes a pressure regulating assembly disposed on the box body. The pressure regulating assembly includes a safety valve, a pressure gauge, an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe. The inlet pipe, the outlet pipe, and the safety valve are connected to the box body and communicate with the accommodating cavity. The pressure gauge is disposed on the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe.
[0019] And / or,
[0020] The expansion tank for the nuclear reactor also includes a sensor assembly disposed within the accommodating cavity. The sensor assembly includes one or more of an oxygen sensor, a thermocouple, and a level gauge mounted on the wall of the accommodating cavity.
[0021] A liquid metal circulation loop system includes a liquid metal loop and an expansion tank for a nuclear reactor as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the input pipe and the output pipe of the expansion tank for the nuclear reactor are respectively connected to the liquid metal loop, and the expansion tank for the nuclear reactor is located at the top of the liquid metal loop.
[0022] In this embodiment of the application, by introducing an expansion tank for a nuclear reactor with the above-described structure, the liquid metal inside the expansion tank for a nuclear reactor will not directly impact the existing free surface of the liquid metal, the free surface will not fluctuate significantly, and the expansion tank for a nuclear reactor can more efficiently flush out the metal oxide particles mixed in the liquid metal to flow back with the liquid metal, instead of accumulating into scum in the expansion tank for a nuclear reactor and clogging the circuit. Attached Figure Description
[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:
[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an expansion tank for a nuclear reactor according to one embodiment;
[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an expansion tank for a nuclear reactor according to one embodiment;
[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flow direction of liquid metal in the expansion tank of a nuclear reactor according to an embodiment;
[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the movement trajectory of metal oxide particles inside an expansion tank for a nuclear reactor, according to one embodiment.
[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of the flow guide inlet in an expansion tank for a nuclear reactor according to one embodiment.
[0029] Figure 6 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of an expansion box for a nuclear reactor according to one embodiment.
[0030] Reference numerals: 10 for expansion tank of nuclear reactor; 20 for tank body; 21 for conical shell; 22 for cylindrical body; 23 for head; 24 for accommodating cavity; 30 for input pipe; 31 for input port; 32 for input section; 40 for output pipe; 41 for output port; 50 for flow guide; 51 for flow guide port; 52 for flow guide surface; 53 for support column; 61 for oxygen sensor; 62 for pressure gauge; 63 for level gauge; 64 for thermocouple; 65 for inspection mirror; 66 for safety valve; 67 for inlet pipe; 68 for outlet pipe. Detailed Implementation
[0031] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be practiced in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.
[0032] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.
[0033] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.
[0034] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0035] Advanced reactors are among the most promising fourth-generation reactor systems. In the liquid metal circulation loop of advanced reactors, the expansion tank is typically located at the top of the loop to accommodate the expansion of the liquid metal and to detect temperature, gauge pressure, and liquid metal levels. Existing expansion tanks for nuclear reactors are mostly vertical pressure vessels, positioned at the top of the loop to accommodate the volume expansion of the liquid metal and to detect the liquid metal level, temperature, and internal pressure. However, vertical expansion tanks for nuclear reactors usually have the feed inlet and outlet located at the bottom of the pressure vessel. When liquid metal flows into the expansion tank through the feed inlet, it directly impacts the free surface of the liquid metal, creating fluctuations. In a steady state, the liquid level above the feed inlet is typically slightly higher than the liquid level above the outlet, directly leading to inaccurate measurements from the sensors within the expansion tank. Furthermore, liquid metal has a high density, while the density of oxide particles in the liquid metal circulation loop is lower than that of the liquid metal. These oxide particles easily adhere to each other on the surface of the liquid metal, forming agglomerates that manifest as scum. Due to its structural characteristics, the vertical expansion tank allows particles to easily suspend at the liquid surface and gradually aggregate to form scum. Some of the larger scum particles are carried into the loop by the liquid metal. Over long-term operation of the liquid metal circulation loop, these larger scum particles gradually deposit on the surfaces of structural components, eroding the loop structure. This scum is difficult to remove, easily clogging the loop and ultimately leading to system failure.
[0036] refer to Figures 1 to 6To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides an expansion tank 10 for a nuclear reactor with good flow stability and detection accuracy. The expansion tank 10 includes a tank body 20, an input pipe 30, an output pipe 40, a sensor assembly, and a flow guide 50. A receiving cavity 24 is formed in the tank body 20. Both the input pipe 30 and the output pipe 40 are connected to the tank body 20 and communicate with the receiving cavity 24. The input pipe 30 includes an input section 32, the lower end of which is connected to the bottom wall of the receiving cavity 24. An input port 31 is formed at the top of the input section 32, and the top of the input section 32 is connected to the flow guide 50. A flow guide 51 is provided between the flow guide 50 and the input port 31. That is, the input pipe 30 extends into the receiving cavity 24 to form an input section, and the input port 31 formed by the input pipe 30 in the receiving cavity 24 is higher than the cavity wall of the receiving cavity 24. This structure helps to bring the liquid entering the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor closer to the center of the containment cavity 24, thereby making it easier to drive the flow of liquid throughout the containment cavity 24 and preventing metal oxide particles from lingering in the expansion tank 10 for a long time and accumulating into scum. In the expansion tank 10 for a nuclear reactor provided in this embodiment, due to the introduction of the guide member 50, the liquid metal entering the expansion tank 10 for a nuclear reactor from the input pipe 30 will not directly impact the free liquid surface of the existing liquid metal in the containment cavity 24. When the fluid flows upward along the input section 32, the high-speed fluid directly impacts the guide surface 52 of the guide member 50 at the upper end of the input section 32, forcing the fluid to flow to the side of the input section 32. The fluid kinetic energy is converted into pressure energy, and the decrease in flow velocity leads to an increase in static pressure, which increases the pressure at the input port 31 and discharges it from the input port 31. This allows the metal oxide particles mixed in the liquid metal to be flushed out more efficiently so that they can flow back with the liquid metal, instead of settling and accumulating in the containment cavity 24 to form scum that blocks the circuit.
[0037] In one embodiment of this application, a sensor assembly is provided within the accommodating cavity 24. An input pipe 30 forms an input port 31 within the accommodating cavity 24. A flow guide 50 is positioned directly opposite the input port 31 and forms a radial flow guide 51 between the flow guide 50 and the input port 31. The flow guide 51 at least partially faces the side of the accommodating cavity 24 where the output pipe 30 is located. In this embodiment, due to the introduction of the flow guide 50, liquid metal entering the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor from the input pipe 30 will not directly impact the existing free surface of liquid metal within the accommodating cavity 24. Instead, it is blocked by the flow guide 50 and output radially, preventing significant fluctuations in the free surface. This allows the sensor to more accurately detect various parameters of the liquid metal within the accommodating cavity 24. (Reference) Figure 5In some embodiments, there are multiple guide ports 51, which are arranged circumferentially along the inlet 31. The multiple guide ports 51 can make the fluid (such as high-temperature liquid metal alloy) uniformly dispersed in the circumferential direction into the accommodating cavity 24, avoiding the impact or local overheating of the inner wall of the box 20 caused by concentrated flow on one side, and improving the structural reliability. At the same time, the circumferentially spaced layout can promote the formation of a stable diffusion flow field of the fluid in the accommodating cavity 24, reduce the generation of turbulence and eddies, and reduce energy loss.
[0038] In a specific embodiment, the height of the guide surface 52 near the output port 41 is higher than the height of the end away from the output port 41. In this embodiment, the inclined guide surface 52 allows the liquid rushing out from the input port 31 to form a divergence space with a larger angle range, which helps to drive the overall flow of the liquid in the receiving cavity 24. At the same time, it can drive the liquid in the receiving cavity 24 into the output pipe 40 more quickly to achieve efficient reflux, so that the metal oxide particles mixed in the liquid metal can be flushed out more efficiently to reflux with the liquid metal, avoiding the accumulation of scum in the receiving cavity 24 to block the circuit. In addition to this structure, in other embodiments, the height of the guide surface 52 relative to the input port 31 can also be kept consistent at all points.
[0039] Compared to the common design of expansion tanks 10 used in nuclear reactors, where the incoming liquid metal directly impacts the free liquid surface in the containment cavity 24, in this embodiment, a guide member 50 is provided above the inlet 31. The incoming liquid metal does not impact the free liquid surface but instead impacts the guide surface 52 of the guide member 50. Because the guide surface 52 forms a certain angle with the horizontal plane, the liquid metal does not directly impact the free liquid surface under the action of the guide surface 52. Simultaneously, the oxide particles in the expansion tank 10 of the nuclear reactor exhibit continuous inflow and outflow trajectories. The guide surface 52, to a certain extent, prevents the particles from floating and drives them towards the outlet, effectively preventing the particles from agglomerating into slag on the free liquid surface due to buoyancy during flow. Furthermore, the increased flow velocity of the liquid metal inside the expansion tank 10 enhances its carrying capacity for oxide particles, effectively preventing particle blockage and ensuring that the particles exist in a smaller form, preventing them from adhering to the loop structure surface and causing severe erosion.
[0040] Compared to the common expansion tank 10 used in nuclear reactors, this invention, due to the function of the flow guide 50, avoids the instability of the free liquid surface caused by liquid metal impacting the free liquid surface and poor flow effect, thus enhancing the stability of detection parameters such as liquid level detection and pressure detection in the expansion tank 10 used in nuclear reactors. At the same time, it improves the particle carrying capacity and prevents metal oxide particles from agglomerating into large particles, forming scum, and causing damage to the loop structure.
[0041] The expansion tank 10 for a nuclear reactor comprises a conical shell 21, a cylindrical shell 22, and a head 23 connected in sequence. An input pipe 30 is connected to the cylindrical shell 22, and an output pipe 30 is connected to the cylindrical shell 22 on opposite sides of the conical shell 21. The cross-sectional area of the conical shell 21 gradually decreases along the direction from the input shell 32 towards the output pipe 30. This tapering structure guides fluid (such as high-temperature liquid metal alloy) to naturally converge towards the output pipe 30, reducing turbulence and backflow, lowering flow resistance, and improving energy efficiency. The output pipe 40 is connected to the conical shell 21. The input port 31 and output port 41 can be circular, rectangular, or other structures, and the guide member 50 can be plate-shaped. In actual assembly, the axial direction of the tank 20 is perpendicular to the height direction of the liquid metal circulation loop.
[0042] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the flow guide 50 has a flow guide surface 52 on the side facing the inlet 31, with the flow guide surface 52 spaced from the inlet 31 to form a flow guide opening 51. The flow guide surface 52 is inclined to the axial direction of the inlet 31. The inclined flow guide surface 52 allows the liquid rushing out of the inlet 31 to form a divergence space with a larger angle range, which helps to drive the overall flow of liquid within the accommodating cavity 24. (Reference) Figure 5 and Figure 6 Multiple support columns 53 connect the guide member 50 to the top of the input section 32, forming a guide port 51 between adjacent support columns 53. The support columns 53 form a rigid connection between the guide member 50 and the input section 32, which can withstand the vibration load generated by the high-speed impact of the fluid and prevent the guide member 50 from shifting or deforming during long-term use. It should be noted that the guide surface 52 can also be arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the input port 31. Due to the obstruction of the guide surface 52 in the axial direction of the input port 31, the liquid metal entering the accommodating cavity 24 from the liquid metal circulation loop will be radially output and diverted from the guide port 51, without directly impacting the free liquid surface of the existing liquid metal in the accommodating cavity 24.
[0043] Specifically, the input pipe 30 can be connected to the bottom of the housing 20, and the output pipe 40 is connected to the side wall of the housing 20. With the input pipe 30 at the bottom, the high-temperature fluid enters from below and naturally rises due to thermal expansion, reducing energy consumption. Simultaneously, the output pipe 40, located on the side wall, can preferentially discharge the fluid with a more uniform upper temperature, preventing impurities or low-temperature media from directly entering the loop and ensuring the stability of the expansion tank 10 used in the nuclear reactor. The output pipe 40 forms an output port 41 within the accommodating cavity 24. The height of the guide port 51 relative to the bottom wall of the accommodating cavity 24 is the same as the height of the output port 41 relative to the bottom wall of the accommodating cavity 24. That is, the height of the guide port 51 is the same as the height of the output port 41. Since the guide port 51 and the output port 41 are at the same height, the fluid flowing from the guide port 51 can flow directly horizontally to the output port 41, avoiding kinetic energy loss or additional turbulence caused by height differences, improving flow efficiency, and reducing local resistance as the fluid does not need to turn upwards or downwards. Corresponding to the above embodiments, the expansion tank 10 for a nuclear reactor includes a conical shell 21, a cylindrical shell 22, and a sealing head 23 connected in sequence. The inlet pipe 30 is connected to the bottom of the cylindrical shell 22, and the outlet pipe 40 is connected to the tip of the conical shell 21. This design provides a horizontal tank, allowing liquid to enter from the bottom and exit from the side walls. This improves the fluidity of the liquid in the containment cavity 24, and particles are then carried out of the expansion tank 10. This avoids the problem of metal oxide particles floating to the liquid surface inside the expansion tank 10 and attracting each other to generate a large amount of scum, which can damage, adhere to, and block the circulation loop. In particular, the structural design, with the guide port 51 facing the outlet port 41, helps to quickly drive the liquid flow throughout the containment cavity 24.
[0044] During the operation of the liquid metal circulation loop, liquid metal continuously enters and exits the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor and regulate the pressure in the containment cavity 24. In some embodiments, the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor is also equipped with a pressure regulating assembly, which is mounted on the tank body 20. Specifically, the pressure regulating assembly includes a safety valve 66, a pressure gauge 62, an inlet pipe 67, and an outlet pipe 68. The inlet pipe 67, outlet pipe 68, and safety valve 66 are connected to the tank body 20 and communicate with the containment cavity 24. The pressure gauge 62 is mounted on either the inlet pipe 67 or the outlet pipe 68. A safety valve 66 is located at the top of the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor. The safety valve 66 serves as a safety protection device when the internal pressure of the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor abnormally increases. When the pressure inside the containment cavity 24 exceeds a preset safety value, the safety valve 66 opens, releasing the excess pressure inside the tank to prevent the tank from rupturing due to excessive pressure. When the pressure drops to a safe range, the safety valve 66 closes again, and the valve port returns to its normal closed state. To facilitate monitoring of the pressure inside the containment chamber 24, a pressure gauge 62 is provided on the top of the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor. The pressure gauge 62 can be installed on the inlet pipe 67 or the outlet pipe 68. The pressure gauge 62 is used to detect the gas phase pressure inside the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor.
[0045] In some embodiments, for detecting data within the accommodating cavity 24, the sensor assembly includes an oxygen sensor 61, a thermocouple 64, and a level gauge 63 mounted on the wall of the accommodating cavity 24. Specifically, the oxygen sensor 61 detects the oxygen concentration of the liquid metal within the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor; the thermocouple 64 detects the temperature of the liquid metal within the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor; and the level gauge 63 detects the free surface height of the stored liquid metal inside the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor, with the display portion of the level gauge 63 located outside the tank body 20.
[0046] The expansion tank 10 used in nuclear reactors is equipped with an electric heating and insulation layer on the outside. The electric heating and insulation layer is used to control the temperature of the liquid metal flow in the loop to remain stable at the target operating temperature.
[0047] In order to enable observation of the cavity 24, a viewing mirror 65 can be installed on the top of the expansion box 10 for the nuclear reactor. The viewing mirror 65 is used to observe the flow of liquid metal and the free liquid surface inside the expansion box 10 for the nuclear reactor.
[0048] Liquid metal flows into the expansion tank 10 of the nuclear reactor through the inlet 31 of the inlet pipe 30. Under the action of the guide member 50 at the inlet 31, the liquid metal flows into the containment cavity 24 of the expansion tank 10 without impacting the free liquid surface. After passing through the inlet 31, the liquid metal impacts the surface of the guide member 50, thus creating a high-pressure, low-velocity region at the guide plate where the returning liquid metal and the liquid metal flowing towards the guide plate are located. This causes the liquid metal to flow radially towards the conical shell 21, the cylindrical body 22, and the end cap 23, respectively. Figure 3 As shown, this avoids direct impact on the free liquid surface and maintains stable flow, allowing the free liquid surface to remain stable over a long period, unaffected by the flow rate of the liquid metal. Simultaneously, because the liquid metal forms a high-pressure settling zone at the guide member 50, this zone prevents fine suspended particles in the liquid metal circulation loop from directly impacting the guide member 50. Furthermore, these fine suspended metal oxide particles have good following properties and are carried into the inner cavity of the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor under the drag force of the liquid metal. Further, due to the shape characteristics of the horizontal pressure vessel in some embodiments, the liquid metal has excellent fluidity within its containing cavity 24, and the particles are subsequently carried out of the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor. This prevents metal oxide particles from floating to the liquid metal surface inside the expansion tank 10 and attracting each other to form aggregates, thereby generating a large amount of scum that damages, adheres to, and blocks the circulation loop structure. A schematic diagram of the particle movement trajectory within the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor is shown below. Figure 4 As shown. The expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor can detect the liquid metal flow operating parameters via an oxygen sensor 61, pressure gauge 62, level gauge 63, and thermocouple 64 in the sensor assembly and pressure regulation assembly. Furthermore, the gas pressure and liquid metal oxygen concentration within the expansion tank 10 are regulated via an inlet pipe 67, an outlet pipe 68, and a safety valve 66 connected to the gas phase space of the expansion tank 10, and the operating temperature of the liquid metal is maintained by an electrically heated insulation layer. After operation, the liquid metal can be discharged from the expansion tank 10 under gravity through the inlet pipe.
[0049] This application embodiment also provides a liquid metal circulation loop system, including a liquid metal loop and an expansion tank 10 for a nuclear reactor as described in any of the above embodiments. The input pipe 30 and the output pipe 40 of the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor are respectively connected to the liquid metal loop, and the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor is located at the top of the liquid metal loop.
[0050] In this embodiment of the application, by introducing an expansion tank 10 for a nuclear reactor with the above-described structure, the liquid metal inside the expansion tank 10 will not directly impact the existing free surface of the liquid metal, and the free surface will not fluctuate significantly. Thus, the sensors in the expansion tank 10 can more accurately detect various parameters of the liquid metal inside the expansion tank 10. Furthermore, the expansion tank 10 for the nuclear reactor can more efficiently flush out metal oxide particles mixed in the liquid metal so that they can flow back with the liquid metal, instead of accumulating into scum and clogging the circuit inside the expansion tank 10.
[0051] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementation methods of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An expansion tank for a nuclear reactor, characterized in that, Includes a housing with an internal cavity; An input pipe includes an input section disposed within the accommodating cavity, the lower end of the input section being connected to the bottom wall of the accommodating cavity, and a flow guide port being provided on the side of the input section; A flow guide covers the top of the input section and defines the flow guide port with the top of the input section; An output pipe is connected to the housing and communicates with the accommodating cavity.
2. The expansion tank for a nuclear reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least a portion of the flow guide is located on the side of the input section facing the output pipe.
3. The expansion tank for a nuclear reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow guide has a flow guide surface on the side facing the input section, and the flow guide surface is inclined away from the input section along the direction from the input section toward the output pipe.
4. The expansion tank for a nuclear reactor according to claim 2, characterized in that, The number of flow guide ports is multiple, and the multiple flow guide ports are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the input section.
5. The expansion tank for a nuclear reactor according to claim 4, characterized in that, A plurality of support pillars are connected between the flow guide and the top of the input section, and the flow guide is formed between adjacent support pillars.
6. The expansion tank for a nuclear reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The input pipe is connected to the bottom of the housing, and the output pipe is connected to the side wall of the housing.
7. The expansion tank for a nuclear reactor according to claim 6, characterized in that, The output pipe forms an output port in the accommodating cavity, and the height of the guide port relative to the bottom wall of the accommodating cavity is the same as the height of the output port relative to the bottom wall of the accommodating cavity.
8. The expansion tank for a nuclear reactor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The housing includes a conical shell section and a cylindrical section connected in sequence. The input pipe is connected to the cylindrical section, and the output pipe is connected to the cylindrical section on opposite sides of the conical shell section. The cross-sectional area of the conical shell section gradually decreases along the direction from the input section toward the output pipe.
9. The expansion tank for a nuclear reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a pressure regulating component, which is disposed on the housing. The pressure regulating component includes a safety valve, a pressure gauge, an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe. The inlet pipe, the outlet pipe, and the safety valve are connected to the housing and communicate with the accommodating cavity. The pressure gauge is disposed on the inlet pipe or the outlet pipe. And / or, It also includes a sensor assembly disposed within the accommodating cavity, the sensor assembly comprising one or more of an oxygen sensor, a thermocouple, and a level gauge mounted on the wall of the accommodating cavity.
10. A liquid metal circulation loop system, characterized in that, The invention includes a liquid metal circuit and an expansion tank for a nuclear reactor as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the input pipe and the output pipe of the expansion tank for the nuclear reactor are respectively connected to the liquid metal circuit, and the expansion tank for the nuclear reactor is located at the top of the liquid metal circuit.