Reactor emergency cooling system
By designing an automatically adjustable emergency cooling system in the steam output circuit of the liquid metal reactor, the problem of liquid metal solidification was solved, and safe heat conduction and automatic adjustment were achieved after an accident, ensuring reactor safety.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423276901.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing reactor emergency cooling systems are prone to causing excessively low temperatures during liquid metal reactor accidents, leading to solidification of the liquid metal and threatening reactor safety.
An emergency cooling system for a reactor was designed, including a steam output circuit, a heat exchanger, a guide pipe, a return pipe, a cooling pool, and a regulating device. By automatically adjusting the isolation valve and the pressurized gas in the gas cylinder, heat exchange and automatic regulation are achieved to ensure that the system matches the residual heat of the reactor core.
It enables continuous removal of residual heat from the reactor core after an accident, preventing liquid metal from solidifying, ensuring reactor safety, and automatically adjusting its heat-carrying capacity to adapt to different residual heat levels.
Smart Images
Figure CN223898054U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of nuclear energy safety utilization technology, and in particular to a reactor emergency cooling system. Background Technology
[0002] A liquid metal reactor is a reactor that uses liquid metal or liquid alloy containing fissile materials as fuel. During operation, the metallic fuel must be heated to a molten state.
[0003] Emergency cooling systems are crucial dedicated safety systems in liquid metal reactors. In the event of an accident, these systems remove excess heat from the reactor core, preventing damage. Therefore, the design of the emergency cooling system directly impacts the safety of the liquid metal reactor. Existing reactor emergency cooling systems utilize natural circulation, where the system, once activated, removes residual heat from the core through circulating heat exchange. However, existing systems occasionally experience excessively low temperatures during operation, leading to liquid metal solidification and threatening reactor safety. Therefore, a novel reactor emergency cooling system needs to be designed. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, this application provides a reactor emergency cooling system with automatic adjustment capabilities.
[0005] The technical solution adopted by this application to solve its technical problem is: a reactor emergency cooling system, applied in the steam output circuit of a liquid metal reactor, wherein the steam output circuit includes a steam generator, a main steam pipe connected to the output port of the steam generator, and a main water supply pipe connected to the input port of the steam generator; the reactor emergency cooling system includes:
[0006] A heat exchanger is used for heat exchange.
[0007] A guide pipe is provided, which connects the main steam pipe to the heat exchanger, and a first isolation valve is provided on the guide pipe;
[0008] A return pipe is provided, which connects the heat exchanger and the main water supply pipe. A second isolation valve is provided on the return pipe. When the temperature inside the steam generator is higher than the temperature threshold and / or the pressure inside the steam generator is higher than the pressure threshold, the first isolation valve and the second isolation valve are opened.
[0009] A cooling pool containing coolant, wherein the heat exchanger is immersed in the coolant;
[0010] The regulating device includes a gas cylinder containing pressurized gas. The outlet of the gas cylinder is equipped with an opening valve, and the outlet of the gas cylinder is connected to the return pipe through the opening valve.
[0011] In some embodiments of this application, a main steam isolation valve is provided on the main steam pipeline, and the guide pipe is disposed between the main steam isolation valve and the steam generator.
[0012] In some embodiments of this application, a pressure relief valve is provided on the main steam pipeline, and the pressure relief valve is located between the main steam isolation valve and the steam generator.
[0013] In some embodiments of this application, a water supply isolation valve is provided on the main water supply pipeline, and the return pipeline is located between the water supply isolation valve and the steam generator.
[0014] In some embodiments of this application, a water supply pipe is provided on the cooling pool.
[0015] In some embodiments of this application, a water level sensor is provided in the cooling pool. When the water level sensor detects that the level of the coolant is lower than that of the heat exchanger, the water supply pipe is opened to supply water until the coolant submerges the heat exchanger.
[0016] In some embodiments of this application, the gas cylinder is filled with pressurized nitrogen.
[0017] In some embodiments of this application, the gas cylinder is filled with pressurized inert gas.
[0018] In some embodiments of this application, the opening valve is a pressure valve. After the pressure in the return pipeline drops, the opening valve opens under the action of pressure difference, and the pressurized gas is injected from the gas cylinder into the return pipeline.
[0019] In some embodiments of this application, the amount of pressurized gas injected from the gas cylinder into the return pipe is inversely proportional to the pressure in the return pipe.
[0020] By implementing this application, the following beneficial effects are achieved: The reactor emergency cooling system of this application is applied to the steam output circuit of a liquid metal reactor. When an accident occurs in the liquid metal reactor, causing the temperature or pressure of the steam generator located in the reactor core to rise, the first isolation valve and the second isolation valve open. The high-temperature steam flowing out of the steam generator passes through the heat exchanger, condenses into water in the heat exchanger, and then flows back to the steam generator. After being reheated in the steam generator, it is output to the heat exchanger, and so on, continuously removing residual heat from the reactor core. When the residual heat of the reactor core is high, the opening valve is closed, and the heat carrying capacity of the reactor emergency cooling system is strong. When the residual heat of the reactor core is low, the opening valve opens, and the pressurized gas in the gas cylinder is injected into the return pipe for adjustment. The injection of gas reduces the efficiency of steam condensation, thereby weakening the heat carrying capacity of the reactor emergency cooling system, ensuring that the heat carrying capacity of the system matches the residual heat of the reactor core, and preventing the liquid metal from solidifying. Attached Figure Description
[0021] The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. In the accompanying drawings:
[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the reactor emergency cooling system provided in this application.
[0023] Explanation of icon numbers:
[0024] Steam output circuit 100, steam generator 110, main steam pipeline 120, main steam isolation valve 121, pressure relief valve 122, main water supply pipeline 130, water supply isolation valve 131;
[0025] The reactor emergency cooling system 200 includes a guide pipe 210, a first isolation valve 211, a heat exchanger 220, a cooling pool 230, a coolant 231, a return pipe 240, a second isolation valve 241, a gas cylinder 250, and an opening valve 251. Detailed Implementation
[0026] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of this application, the specific embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0027] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other.
[0028] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are used only for the convenience of describing this application 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.
[0029] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or a chemical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0030] See Figure 1 Some embodiments of this application disclose a reactor emergency cooling system.
[0031] The reactor emergency cooling system provided in this application is applied to the steam output loop 100 of a liquid metal reactor. For example... Figure 1As shown, the steam output circuit 100 includes a steam generator 110, a main steam pipe 120 connected to the output port of the steam generator 110, and a main water supply pipe 130 connected to the input port of the steam generator 110. It should be noted that the steam generator 110 may be equipped with a sensor for real-time monitoring and feedback of its temperature or pressure values. The reactor emergency cooling system 200 includes a guide pipe 210, a heat exchanger 220, a cooling pool 230, a return pipe 240, and a regulating device. The cooling pool 230 contains coolant 231, and the heat exchanger 220 is immersed in the coolant 231 for heat exchange. In some embodiments of this application, the guide pipe 210 connects the main steam pipe 120 and the heat exchanger 220, and a first isolation valve 211 is installed on the guide pipe 210; the return pipe 240 connects the heat exchanger 220 and the main water supply pipe 130, and a second isolation valve 241 is installed on the return pipe 240. In addition, in other embodiments of this application, the guide pipe 210 can also connect the output port of the steam generator 110 to the heat exchanger 220, and the return pipe 240 can also connect the heat exchanger 220 to the input port of the steam generator 110. The first isolation valve 211 and the second isolation valve 241 are closed during normal operation of the liquid metal reactor. When the temperature in the steam generator 110 exceeds a temperature threshold, and / or the pressure inside the steam generator 110 exceeds a pressure threshold, the first isolation valve 211 and the second isolation valve 241 open, allowing the reactor emergency cooling system 200 to be formally connected to the steam output circuit 100 and function. The regulating device in this application includes a gas cylinder 250, which contains pressurized gas. An opening valve 251 is provided at the outlet of the gas cylinder 250, and the outlet of the gas cylinder 250 is connected to the return pipe 240 via the opening valve 251.
[0032] In some embodiments of this application, a main steam isolation valve 121 is provided on the main steam pipeline 120, and a guide pipeline 210 is arranged between the main steam isolation valve 121 and the steam generator 110. The main steam isolation valve 121 is used to control the external output of steam in the steam output circuit 100. When the liquid metal reactor is working normally, the main steam isolation valve 121 is in the open state; when an accident occurs in the liquid metal reactor, the main steam isolation valve 121 can be closed to stop the external output of high-temperature steam.
[0033] In some embodiments of this application, a pressure relief valve 122 is provided on the main steam pipe 120, and the pressure relief valve 122 is located between the main steam isolation valve 121 and the steam generator 110. The function of the pressure relief valve 122 is to prevent overpressure of the gas inside the reactor emergency cooling system 200 when the core temperature is high in the early stage of an accident. When the gas pressure inside the reactor emergency cooling system 200 is too high, a certain amount of steam is discharged through the pressure relief valve 122 to compensate for the cooling capacity of the reactor emergency cooling system 200. It should be noted that after an accident, since the reactor emergency cooling system 200 is filled with steam, the steam temperature and gas pressure are approximately proportional. The higher the steam temperature, the greater the gas pressure inside the reactor emergency cooling system 200; conversely, when the steam temperature decreases, the gas pressure inside the reactor emergency cooling system 200 decreases.
[0034] In some embodiments of this application, a water supply isolation valve 131 is provided on the main water supply pipe 130, and a return pipe 240 is provided between the water supply isolation valve 131 and the steam generator 110.
[0035] The water supply isolation valve 131 is used to control the water supply from the main water supply pipeline 130 to the steam generator 110. When the liquid metal reactor is working normally, the water supply isolation valve 131 is in the open state; when an accident occurs in the liquid metal reactor, the water supply isolation valve 131 can be closed to prevent the accident from overflowing.
[0036] In some embodiments of this application, the coolant 231 is water. Water has a high specific heat capacity and is readily available, making it an excellent material for coolant 231. Without considering makeup water, a large amount of water can be placed in the cooling pool 230 to ensure that the residual heat discharged from the reactor core can be continuously absorbed within 3 days after an accident.
[0037] In some embodiments of this application, a water supply pipe is provided on the cooling pool 230. Water can be added to the cooling pool 230 as coolant through the water supply pipe to ensure that the water level in the cooling pool 230 always meets the requirements. Additionally, emergency water replenishment can be performed through the water supply pipe in critical situations. Furthermore, a water level sensor is installed in the cooling pool 230. When the water level sensor detects that the coolant level 231 is lower than that of the heat exchanger 220, the water supply pipe is opened to replenish water until the coolant 231 submerges the heat exchanger 220. By setting up the water level sensor and the water supply pipe, automatic water replenishment can be achieved, ensuring the continuous operation of the system.
[0038] In some embodiments of this application, the gas cylinder 250 is filled with pressurized nitrogen. Nitrogen is readily available and does not react with high-temperature steam, making it an excellent conditioning gas. Additionally, the gas cylinder 250 may also be filled with pressurized inert gas.
[0039] In some embodiments of this application, the opening valve 251 is a pressure valve. After the pressure in the return pipe 240 drops, the opening valve 251 opens under the action of the pressure difference, and pressurized gas is injected from the gas cylinder 250 into the return pipe 240. Furthermore, the amount of pressurized gas injected from the gas cylinder 250 into the return pipe 240 is inversely proportional to the pressure in the return pipe 240. It should be noted that the lower the temperature inside the steam generator 110, the lower the pressure in the return pipe 240, and the more pressurized gas is injected.
[0040] The reactor emergency cooling system of this application operates as follows: Under normal operation of the liquid metal reactor, the reactor emergency cooling system 200 is always in standby mode. When an accident occurs in the liquid metal reactor, the temperature and pressure of the steam generator 110 located in the reactor core rise. When the temperature in the steam generator 110 exceeds the temperature threshold and / or the pressure inside the steam generator 110 exceeds the pressure threshold, the first isolation valve 211 and the second isolation valve 241 open. The high-temperature steam flowing out of the steam generator 110 passes through the heat exchanger 220, condenses into water in the heat exchanger 220, and then flows back to the steam generator 110. After being reheated in the steam generator 110, it is output to the heat exchanger 220. This cycle repeats continuously, continuously removing the residual heat from the reactor core into the cooling pool 230, so that the residual heat of the reactor core gradually decreases and the temperature gradually decreases. Meanwhile, the water temperature in the cooling pool 230 gradually rises from room temperature to saturation temperature, and then the heat is discharged to the hot atmosphere through evaporation. When the residual heat of the reactor core is high, the opening valve 251 is closed, and the heat carrying capacity of the reactor emergency cooling system 200 is strong. When the residual heat of the reactor core is low, the pressure inside the reactor emergency cooling system 200 decreases, the opening valve 251 opens, and the pressurized gas in the gas cylinder 250 is injected into the return pipe 240 for regulation. The injection of gas reduces the efficiency of steam condensation, thereby weakening the heat carrying capacity of the reactor emergency cooling system 200, ensuring that the heat carrying capacity of the system matches the residual heat of the reactor core, and preventing the liquid metal from solidifying.
[0041] The reactor emergency cooling system of this application can not only continue to operate after an accident to remove residual heat from the reactor core, but also automatically adjust its heat-carrying capacity to prevent excessive heat-carrying capacity from causing the liquid metal in the reactor core to solidify.
[0042] It is understood that the above embodiments only illustrate preferred embodiments of this application, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application's patent. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, without departing from the concept of this application, the above embodiments or technical features can be freely combined, and several modifications and improvements can be made. These all fall within the protection scope of this application, that is, the embodiments described "in some embodiments" can be freely combined with any of the embodiments above and below. Therefore, all equivalent transformations and modifications made within the scope of the claims of this application should fall within the coverage of the claims of this application.
Claims
1. A reactor emergency cooling system, applied to the steam output circuit (100) of a liquid metal reactor, the steam output circuit (100) comprising a steam generator (110), a main steam pipe (120) connected to the output port of the steam generator (110), and a main water supply pipe (130) connected to the input port of the steam generator (110), characterized in that, The reactor emergency cooling system (200) includes: Heat exchanger (220) is used for heat exchange; A guide pipe (210) is provided, which connects the main steam pipe (120) and the heat exchanger (220). A first isolation valve (211) is provided on the guide pipe (210). A return pipe (240) is provided, which connects the heat exchanger (220) and the main water supply pipe (130). A second isolation valve (241) is provided on the return pipe (240). When the temperature inside the steam generator (110) is higher than the temperature threshold and / or the pressure inside the steam generator (110) is higher than the pressure threshold, the first isolation valve (211) and the second isolation valve (241) are opened. A cooling pool (230) is filled with coolant (231), and the heat exchanger (220) is immersed in the coolant (231); The regulating device includes a gas cylinder (250) containing pressurized gas. An opening valve (251) is provided at the outlet of the gas cylinder (250), and the outlet of the gas cylinder (250) is connected to the return pipe (240) through the opening valve (251).
2. The reactor emergency cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A main steam isolation valve (121) is provided on the main steam pipeline (120), and the guide pipeline (210) is located between the main steam isolation valve (121) and the steam generator (110).
3. The reactor emergency cooling system according to claim 2, characterized in that, A pressure relief valve (122) is provided on the main steam pipeline (120), and the pressure relief valve (122) is located between the main steam isolation valve (121) and the steam generator (110).
4. The reactor emergency cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A water supply isolation valve (131) is provided on the main water supply pipe (130), and the return pipe (240) is located between the water supply isolation valve (131) and the steam generator (110).
5. The reactor emergency cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A water supply pipe is installed on the cooling pool (230).
6. The reactor emergency cooling system according to claim 5, characterized in that, A water level sensor is installed in the cooling pool (230). When the water level sensor detects that the level of the coolant (231) is lower than that of the heat exchanger (220), the water supply pipe is opened to supply water until the coolant (231) submerges the heat exchanger (220).
7. The reactor emergency cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas cylinder (250) is filled with pressurized nitrogen.
8. The reactor emergency cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas cylinder (250) is filled with pressurized inert gas.
9. The reactor emergency cooling system according to claim 1, 7, or 8, characterized in that, The opening valve (251) is a pressure valve. After the pressure in the return pipe (240) drops, the opening valve (251) opens under the action of pressure difference, and the pressurized gas is injected from the gas cylinder (250) into the return pipe (240).
10. The reactor emergency cooling system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The amount of pressurized gas injected from the gas cylinder (250) into the return pipe (240) is inversely proportional to the pressure in the return pipe (240).