Small nuclear reactor device and its operation method

Abstract

A small nuclear reactor device and an operating method thereof are provided. The small nuclear reactor device includes a main unit including a reactor core therein, and an opening and closing unit that can be attached to and detached from the main unit for opening and closing the inside of the main unit, the opening and closing unit being installed so as to be attached and detached based on being placed downward inside the main unit, and a number of ICI (In-core instrument) modules for measuring the state of the small nuclear reactor are inserted and installed in the opening and closing unit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a small nuclear reactor device and an operating method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Small modular reactors are classified into forced circulation and natural circulation types of coolant depending on the main design concept and characteristics. Such small modular reactors have a compact size and the core, steam generator (in the case of coolant pump forced circulation SMR), etc. are concentrated inside the reactor. Therefore, when designing the inside of the reactor, an ICI (In-Core Instrument) assembly is installed to ensure smooth coolant flow at the bottom of the core.

[0003] The ICI assembly is capable of obtaining information about the inside of the reactor, which is essential for normal operation. Such an ICI assembly is installed from the top of the reactor to the core. The reactor is structurally required to have the control rod assemblies and other equipment at the top of the inner core.

[0004] A large number of ICI assemblies are installed together with these internal reactor structures, totaling up to 45. Because small modular reactors have a compact internal structure, installing ICI assemblies in the internal flow passages above the core can lead to a decrease in internal flow efficiency. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to ensure a flow path for internal cooling water by enabling the connecting tubes of various measuring equipment to be installed inside a small modular reactor to be installed at the bottom of the reactor like a large commercial reactor.

[0006] This also contributes to improving the flow efficiency, which is directly related to the reactor power output.

[0007] Another objective is to contribute to improving maintainability during planned preventive maintenance (e.g., nuclear fuel replacement, etc.).

[0008] The objects of the present invention are not limited to the objects mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a small nuclear reactor device that includes a main body unit containing a reactor core therein, and an opening / closing unit that is capable of being attached to and detached from the main body unit for opening and closing the inside of the main body unit, the opening / closing unit being capable of being attached and detached based on being placed downward inside the main body unit, and a number of ICI (In-core instrument) modules for measuring the status of the small nuclear reactor are inserted and attached to the opening / closing unit.

[0010] The opening / closing unit is disposed inside the main unit and is configured to be mounted and detached based on a downward movement.

[0011] In addition, a number of ICI modules are inserted and mounted in the opening and closing unit.

[0012] In addition, the ICI module is inserted and installed so that its upper end does not reach the internal position of the main unit where the core is located.

[0013] In addition, the main body unit includes a lower mounting portion to which the opening / closing unit is attached, and the mounting portion includes a protrusion having a recess formed at an upper portion, and the opening / closing unit is attached to the mounting portion and pressurized downward by internal pressure corresponding to the operation of the small nuclear reactor.

[0014] The opening / closing unit further includes a mounting main body portion and an extension main body portion extending from the mounting main body portion to at least a portion of the peripheral portion, the extension main body portion entering the open space between the protrusions and being attached to the protrusions, and the extension main body portion entering the recessed portion and being attached so as to be placed on the top of the protrusions.

[0015] In addition, the opening / closing unit has a first mounting groove formed on the peripheral edge of the extended main body portion, a ring-shaped first metal finishing material is mounted in the first mounting groove to improve the sealing power of the internal space, a second mounting groove formed on the peripheral edge of the placement main body portion, a ring-shaped second metal finishing material is mounted in the second mounting groove to improve the sealing power of the internal space, the extended main body portion is mounted so that the first metal finishing material protrudes by a first value larger than the outer diameter of the extended main body portion and corresponds to the main body unit, and the placement main body portion is mounted so that the second metal finishing material protrudes by a second value larger than the outer diameter of the placement main body portion and corresponds to the main body unit.

[0016] In addition, the opening / closing unit is removed from the main unit based on an internal removal operation in which it is retreated into the internal space of the main unit and removed, an entry direction change operation in which the entry direction is changed to a set angle in the internal space in response to the internal removal operation, and an external removal operation in which it is removed from the main unit via the open space in response to the entry direction change operation.

[0017] In addition, planned preventive maintenance is performed on the small reactor based on the main unit and the opening and closing unit, and the planned preventive maintenance includes nuclear fuel replacement of the small reactor.

[0018] In addition, in the small nuclear reactor, a surplus space for installing an internal cooling water flow path is ensured based on the main unit and the opening and closing unit.

[0019] To achieve the above object, a method of operating a small reactor device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a step of preparing nuclear power generation from a small reactor; and a step of generating nuclear power from the small reactor, wherein the small reactor includes a main unit having a core therein, and an opening / closing unit that is capable of being attached and detached from the main unit for opening and closing the interior of the main unit. Effect of the Invention

[0020] The small nuclear reactor apparatus and its operating method according to the present invention as described above have one or more of the following advantages.

[0021] The present invention enables the connecting tubes of various measuring equipment installed inside a small modular reactor to be installed at the bottom of the reactor like in a large commercial reactor, thereby making it possible to secure a flow path for internal cooling water.

[0022] This also contributes to improving the flow efficiency, which is directly related to the reactor power.

[0023] It can also contribute to improving maintainability during planned preventive maintenance (e.g., nuclear fuel replacement, etc.). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a small nuclear reactor system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the small nuclear reactor device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the lower part of the small nuclear reactor device shown in FIG. 1 is opened and closed. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the lower part of the small nuclear reactor device shown in FIG. 1 is opened and closed. [Diagram 5] 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the lower part of the small nuclear reactor device shown in FIG. 1 is opened and closed. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the lower part of the small nuclear reactor device shown in FIG. 1 is opened and closed. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing in detail the configuration of the small nuclear reactor device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method for operating a small nuclear reactor device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Advantages and features of the present invention, and the method of achieving the same will become clear with reference to the following embodiments in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be realized in various different forms, and the present embodiments are provided merely to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the present invention of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. The same reference symbols refer to the same elements throughout the specification.

[0026] 1 and 2, a small nuclear reactor device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main unit 110 and an opening / closing unit 120. Referring to FIG.

[0027] The mounting portion 111 of the main body unit 110 includes a protrusion 1112. The opening and closing unit 120 includes a mounting main body portion 121 and an extension main body portion 122. The main body unit 110 of the small nuclear reactor device 100 includes a reactor core 50 therein.

[0028] The opening and closing unit 120 of the small nuclear reactor device 100 can be attached to the main unit 110 in order to open and close the inside of the main unit 110. The opening and closing unit 120 can be detached from the main unit 110 in order to open and close the inside of the main unit 110.

[0029] The opening and closing unit 120 can be mounted downward inside the main unit 110. The opening and closing unit 120 is provided so as to be mounted and detached based on such a downward mounting. A number of ICI (In-core instrument) modules 130 are inserted and mounted in the opening and closing unit 120.

[0030] Furthermore, the ICI module 130 measures the state of the small nuclear reactor device 100. The ICI module 130 is inserted and installed such that an upper end does not reach an internal position of the main unit 110 where the core 50 is located.

[0031] The mounting part 111 of the main body unit 110 corresponds to a lower region where the opening / closing unit 120 is mounted. The protrusion 1112 of the mounting part 111 has a recess 1111 formed at its upper portion.

[0032] The opening and closing unit 120 is mounted on the mounting portion 111. The opening and closing unit 120 is pressed downward by an internal pressure according to the operation of the small nuclear reactor device 100. The mounting body portion 121 of the opening and closing unit 120 is placed on the main body unit 110.

[0033] The extension body portion 122 of the opening / closing unit 120 is provided extending from the mounting body portion 121 to at least a part of the periphery. The extension body portion 122 enters the open space S between the protruding portions 1112 and is attached to the protruding portions 1112.

[0034] Here, the extension body portion 122 is inserted into the recess 1111 and mounted on the upper portion of the protrusion 1112. Referring to Figures 3 to 6, the opening and closing unit 120 is mounted and removed based on an internal removal operation, an entry direction change operation, and an external removal operation.

[0035] The internal removal operation of the opening / closing unit 120 corresponds to an operation of retreating into the internal space I of the main unit 110 and removing it. The approach direction change operation of the opening / closing unit 120 corresponds to an operation of changing the approach direction to a set angle in the internal space I in response to the internal removal operation.

[0036] Further, the external removal operation of the opening / closing unit 120 includes an operation of passing through the open space S in response to the approach direction change operation. Next, the approach direction change operation of the opening / closing unit 120 includes an operation of being removed from the main unit 110 after the approach direction is changed to a set angle.

[0037] The small nuclear reactor device 100 undergoes planned preventive maintenance based on the main unit 110 and the opening and closing unit 120. The planned preventive maintenance includes nuclear fuel replacement of the small nuclear reactor device 100 and the like.

[0038] In the small nuclear reactor device 100, a surplus space for installing an internal cooling water flow path is secured based on the main unit 110 and the opening and closing unit 120.

[0039] 7, the opening / closing unit 120 has a first mounting groove 121H formed on the periphery of the extension body portion 122. A ring-shaped first metal finishing member 140 for improving the sealing force of the internal space I is mounted in the first mounting groove 121H.

[0040] Here, a second mounting groove 122H is formed on the periphery of the mounting body 121. A ring-shaped second metal finishing member 150 for improving the sealing force of the internal space I is mounted in the second mounting groove 122H.

[0041] The extension body portion 122 is mounted to correspond to the main body unit 110 such that the first metal finishing material 140 protrudes by a first value that is greater than the outer diameter of the extension body portion 122 .

[0042] Furthermore, the second metal finishing material 150 protrudes from the mounting body 121 by a second value larger than the outer diameter of the mounting body 121 , and is attached to correspond to the main unit 110 .

[0043] 8, in the method S100 for operating a small nuclear reactor according to an embodiment of the present invention, nuclear power generation of the small nuclear reactor 100 for operation is prepared or selected. Next, nuclear power generation of the small nuclear reactor 100 is performed.

[0044] The small nuclear reactor device 100 includes a main body unit 110 therein, and an opening / closing unit 120 that can be attached to and detached from the main body unit 110 in order to open and close the inside of the main body unit 110 .

[0045] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiment is illustrative in all respects and is not limiting.

Claims

1. A method for operating a small nuclear reactor device, comprising: Preparing for nuclear power generation in small reactors; and generating nuclear power from the small nuclear reactor; The small nuclear reactor comprises: A method for operating a small nuclear reactor device, comprising: a main unit including a reactor core therein; and an opening / closing unit that is provided so as to be attachable to and detachable from the main unit for opening and closing the inside of the main unit.

2. The method for operating a small nuclear reactor apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the opening and closing unit is provided so as to be mounted and detached based on a downward movement while being located inside the main unit.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the opening and closing unit has a plurality of in-core instrument (ICI) modules inserted therein.

4. 4. The method for operating a small nuclear reactor apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ICI module is inserted and attached so that an upper end portion of the ICI module does not reach an internal position of the main unit where the core is located.

5. The main unit includes: The opening / closing unit includes a lower mounting portion to which the opening / closing unit is mounted, the mounting portion including a protruding portion having a recess formed therein at an upper portion thereof, The opening and closing unit includes: The method for operating a small nuclear reactor apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the small nuclear reactor apparatus is attached to the attachment portion and pressurized downward by an internal pressure corresponding to an operation of the small nuclear reactor.

6. The opening and closing unit includes: a mounting body portion and an extension body portion extending from the mounting body portion to at least a portion of the peripheral edge portion, The extension body portion is The protrusions are inserted into the open spaces between the protrusions and are attached to the protrusions. The method for operating a small nuclear reactor apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the reactor is mounted so as to enter the recess and be placed on an upper portion of the protrusion.

7. The opening and closing unit includes: an internal removal operation in which the main unit is removed by retreating into an internal space of the main unit; an approach direction changing operation in which an approach direction is changed to a set angle in the internal space in response to the internal removal operation; The method for operating a small nuclear reactor apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the small nuclear reactor apparatus is separated from the main unit based on an external removal operation in which the small nuclear reactor apparatus is removed from the main unit via the open space in response to the approach direction change operation.

8. The small nuclear reactor comprises: The method for operating a small nuclear reactor apparatus according to claim 6, wherein planned preventive maintenance is performed based on the main unit and the opening and closing unit, and the planned preventive maintenance includes nuclear fuel replacement of the small nuclear reactor.

9. The small nuclear reactor comprises:

7. The method for operating a small nuclear reactor apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a surplus space for installation of an internal cooling water flow passage is secured based on the main unit and the opening and closing unit.

10. A small nuclear reactor device, comprising: A main unit including a reactor core therein; an opening / closing unit that can be attached to and detached from the main unit in order to open and close the inside of the main unit; The opening / closing unit is provided so as to be attachable and detachable in the main unit by being placed downward therein, The opening and closing unit is a small reactor device into which a number of ICI (In-core instrument) modules for measuring the state of the small reactor are inserted.

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