Reactor vessel surveillance capsule assembly

Abstract

Disclosed is a reactor vessel surveillance capsule assembly. Such reactor vessel surveillance capsule assembly is a surveillance capsule assembly which is formed so as to be capable of receiving a specimen therein in a state of corresponding to a core region side in a reactor vessel, and comprises: side receiving portions disposed on respective side portions facing each other in the receiving vessel, with the core region interposed therebetween; and a lower receiving portion disposed on the lower side in the reactor vessel in a state of connecting the lower sides of the side receiving portions to each other.

Description

Reactor vessel surveillance specimen box

[0001] The present invention relates to a nuclear reactor vessel monitoring specimen box.

[0002] In general, the interior of a reactor vessel is exposed to an environment in which the characteristics of the vessel structure gradually become more vulnerable due to deterioration (embrittlement) caused by neutron irradiation during reactor operation.

[0003] Accordingly, it is important to continuously monitor the degree of deterioration inside the reactor vessel during reactor operation, and a surveillance capsule assembly is provided as a means of this monitoring.

[0004] The surveillance specimen box is placed on the inner wall (side) side of the reactor vessel, and is formed to have a structure and shape capable of storing material specimens for predicting the degree of deterioration of the reactor vessel structure due to neutron irradiation or thermal embrittlement.

[0005] These monitoring specimens are placed inside the reactor vessel, and an installation form and structure are required that enable monitoring in a state that is consistent with the reliability and stability of predictions of the degree of deterioration due to the operation of the reactor.

[0006] That is, when installing the monitoring specimen box on the inner wall side of the reactor vessel, it is desirable to install it as close to the core area (fuel rod bundle) as possible so as to obtain conservative results, especially in terms of neutron irradiation dose.

[0007] However, among nuclear reactors, small modular reactors in particular have advantages in terms of operational stability, shortened construction period, and utilization of distributed power sources due to their miniaturized, integrated module structure, but it is difficult to expect satisfactory efficiency in terms of installation of surveillance specimen boxes.

[0008] That is, since small modular reactors have a structure in which major components such as steam generators, coolant pumps, and pressurizers are integrated into a single container in a modular form, they have a relatively high internal density compared to general large reactors, and the idle space is narrow, which may lead to many difficulties in securing installation space.

[0009] Additionally, small modular reactors have operational characteristics that can result in different operating histories between modules due to the elastic operation of the modules.

[0010] Therefore, for the stable operation and management of large reactors, as well as small modular reactors in particular, a structure of a surveillance specimen box with structural characteristics that are compatible with the structure and operational characteristics of the reactor vessel is required.

[0011] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems,

[0012] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a reactor vessel monitoring specimen box having a structure that is particularly suitable for the structure and flexible operating characteristics of a small modular reactor.

[0013] In order to achieve the above purpose,

[0014] A surveillance specimen box formed to enable the storage of specimens in a state corresponding to the core area inside the reactor vessel,

[0015] Side receiving portions each disposed on opposite side surfaces within the reactor vessel with the core region interposed therebetween; and

[0016] A lower storage unit disposed on the lower side of the reactor vessel in a state where the lower sides of the side storage units are connected to each other;

[0017] Includes,

[0018] The above side storage section and the above lower storage section each have a storage space, and the reactor vessel monitoring specimen box is provided in which the storage spaces are formed to form a passage section that is connected to each other.

[0019] The present invention provides a monitoring specimen box installed in a reactor vessel, and can provide a structure in which specimens can be accommodated and arranged in a state corresponding to the side and bottom sides of the core region by forming a state in which both sides and the bottom of the vessel are connected to each other.

[0020] Therefore, the present invention can realize a specimen storage environment that is suitable for securing installation space efficiency, especially in response to a small modular reactor vessel with a narrow internal space, and securing further improved prediction reliability and prediction efficiency in terms of predicting the degree of deterioration due to neutron irradiation.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically showing the entire structure of a nuclear reactor vessel monitoring specimen box according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIGS. 2 to 6 are drawings for explaining the detailed structure and operation of a nuclear reactor vessel monitoring specimen box according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention are described within a range that allows those with average knowledge in the art to practice the present invention.

[0025] Accordingly, since the embodiments of the present invention can be modified into various different forms, the scope of the claims of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically showing the overall structure of a nuclear reactor vessel monitoring sample box according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 6 are drawings for explaining the detailed structure and operation.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a reactor vessel monitoring specimen box (C) according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a side receiving portion (10) and a lower receiving portion (20).

[0028] The surveillance sample box (C) according to the present invention is formed to have a structure that is suitable for a small modular reactor vessel (V, hereinafter referred to as “reactor vessel”) having a structural characteristic of a narrow internal space, as shown in FIG. 1, among various types of reactors.

[0029] The side storage unit (10) is provided with a side storage space (12) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is formed in a state where it is placed at two side points facing each other inside the reactor vessel (V).

[0030] That is, the side storage portions (10) are arranged on the side surfaces (inner wall surfaces) that face each other with the core region (N) interposed among the inner surfaces of the reactor vessel (V), and the side storage space (12) can be formed in a state where it forms a passage section extending in the upper and lower directions.

[0031] The side storage space (12) can be formed in a space shape in which specimens (S) for predicting the degree of deterioration (embrittlement) due to neutron irradiation can be inserted and withdrawn while sliding along the passage section.

[0032] And, although not shown in the drawing, a cover may be installed on the upper side of the side storage section (10).

[0033] The cover can be formed to have a structure that allows the side storage space (12) to be selectively opened and closed, for example, in a sliding or hinged opening and closing manner.

[0034] The lower storage section (20) has a lower storage space (22) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is formed in a state in which it is connected to the two side storage sections (10) inside the reactor vessel (V).

[0035] In particular, the lower storage portion (20) is formed inside the reactor vessel (V), and is formed to form a connection form that is connected to the two side storage portions (10).

[0036] That is, the lower storage section (20) is formed in a state where the lower sides of the two side storage sections (10) are connected to each other on the lower surface (bottom surface) side of the inside of the reactor vessel (V) as shown in FIG. 1, but the lower storage space (22) side can be formed in a state where it forms a passage section that is connected to the two side storage spaces (12) side in a line.

[0037] The lower storage portion (20) is formed on the inner lower surface side of the reactor vessel (V), and can be formed to extend along the lower surface curve while connecting the two side storage portions (10) to each other.

[0038] The lower storage space (22) can store specimens (S), and can be formed to have a space shape in which the specimens (S) can be inserted and withdrawn while sliding along a connecting passage section in connection with the side storage space (12).

[0039] Accordingly, the surveillance sample box (C) can be formed to have a tunnel-shaped storage structure having a passage section extending in a “U” shape to correspond to both sides and the lower side of the core region (N) inside the reactor vessel (V) as shown in Fig. 1 by two side storage sections (10) and one lower storage section (20).

[0040] According to the tunnel-shaped storage structure of this surveillance specimen box (C), a plurality of specimens (S) can be stored along the passage section of the side storage space (12) and the lower storage space (22) so as to form a "U"-shaped arrangement corresponding to both sides and the lower side of the core region (N) inside the reactor vessel (V).

[0041] In addition, according to the storage structure of the surveillance specimen box (C), as shown in Fig. 3, multiple specimens (S) can be sequentially inserted and stored by pushing the specimens (S) into the side storage space (12) through the opening on the side storage portion (10).

[0042] And, by operating the specimens (S) by pushing them with a rod-shaped tool (T) through the opening of the one-side storage section (10) as shown in Fig. 4 while the specimens (S) are stored, the stored specimens (S) can be gradually pushed along the passage section and withdrawn toward the opening of the other-side storage section (10).

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the surveillance specimen box (C) has a structure in which the side storage section (10) and the lower storage section (20) are connected to each other in a “U” shape, and two of them can be installed as a group in a state in which they are intersected with each other in correspondence with the core region (N) inside the reactor vessel (V).

[0044] At this time, the area where the two lower storage sections (20) intersect each other can be arranged in a stacked manner so that no interference occurs between them, and can be placed on the lower surface side of the reactor vessel (V).

[0045] When two surveillance specimen boxes (C) are installed as a group in this way, multiple specimens (S) can be stored and placed at more diverse points corresponding to the core region (N) side within the reactor vessel (V).

[0046] One or more surveillance specimen boxes (C) can be installed on the reactor vessel (V) side as described above, and this can more actively respond to an environment where an expansion of the storage location (range) of specimens (S) is required to supplement non-conservative prediction results according to the storage location of specimens (S).

[0047] The reactor vessel monitoring specimen box (C) according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed and applied inside the reactor vessel (V), especially when operating a small modular nuclear power plant, and thus the following effects can be expected.

[0048] First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, it is possible to easily secure installation space for the storage and arrangement of specimens (S) within a reactor vessel (V) with a narrow internal idle space, thereby creating an environment in which space efficiency can be further improved.

[0049] In addition, since the specimens (S) can be stored and arranged in a manner corresponding to the side (periphery) of the core region (N) inside the reactor vessel (V) as well as the lower side, an environment can be implemented in which the prediction range (area) according to the location of the specimens (S) can be further expanded, thereby further increasing the prediction reliability and prediction efficiency.

[0050] In particular, small modular reactors generally perform flexible operation through control rod (nuclear fuel) adjustment, so deviations in the predicted degree of deterioration due to neutron irradiation can easily occur depending on the storage location of the specimens (S) within the reactor vessel (V).

[0051] Therefore, by providing a structure of a surveillance specimen box (C) that forms a tunnel-shaped storage space corresponding to the side (periphery) and lower side of the core region (N) within the reactor vessel (V), it is possible to supplement non-conservative prediction results that may occur depending on the location between the samples (S).

[0052] In addition, if the surveillance specimen box (C) is formed to have a tunnel-shaped storage structure extending in a “U” shape, the work of storing and arranging the specimens (S) inside the reactor vessel (V) or taking them out can be carried out more easily.

[0053] That is, the operation of storing the specimen (S) can be carried out by sequentially inserting the specimen (S) into the opening side of the side storage portion (10) of the surveillance specimen box (C) as in FIG. 3, for example, and the operation of withdrawing the specimen (S) can be carried out by pushing the specimen (S) through the opening side of the side storage portion (10) on one side using a bar-shaped tool (T) as in FIG. 4.

[0054] Then, the specimens (S) can be sequentially withdrawn through the opening side of the other side receiving section (10) while being pushed in a sliding manner along the passage section toward the opposite side. This withdrawal method can be easily withdrawn without using an expensive, structurally and operationally complex withdrawal device, compared to existing methods of lifting and withdrawing specimens from the specimen box using a separate withdrawal device, although not shown in the drawing.

[0055] Accordingly, the present invention can provide a structure of a surveillance specimen box (C) capable of storing specimens (S) in a state that is compatible with securing installation space efficiency and reliability in predicting the degree of deterioration, especially considering the narrow internal space and elastic operation of a reactor vessel (V) of a small modular nuclear power plant.

[0056] Therefore, the present invention can realize a nuclear power plant operation environment that can further improve reactor management safety and management efficiency when operating a small modular nuclear power plant.

Claims

1. A surveillance specimen box formed to enable specimen storage in a state corresponding to the core area inside the reactor vessel, Side receiving portions each disposed on opposite side surfaces within the reactor vessel with the core region interposed therebetween; and A lower storage unit disposed on the lower side of the reactor vessel in a state where the lower sides of the side storage units are connected to each other; Includes, A reactor vessel monitoring specimen box in which the side storage section and the lower storage section each have storage spaces, and these storage spaces are formed to form a passage section that is connected to each other.

2. In claim 1, The above side storage section and the above lower storage section, The above storage spaces are connected and formed in a state of interconnection, A reactor vessel monitoring specimen formed to form a passage section extending in a “U” shape to correspond to the side and lower sides of the core within the reactor vessel.

3. In claim 1, The above reactor vessel surveillance specimen box is, A reactor vessel monitoring specimen box having at least one specimen installed in a state corresponding to the core region inside the reactor vessel.

4. In claim 1, The above reactor vessel surveillance specimen box is, A reactor vessel monitoring specimen box formed so that a plurality of specimens are stored and arranged along the connected passage section of the storage spaces while pushing the specimens into the storage space opening side of the side storage unit.

5. In claim 1, The above reactor vessel surveillance specimen box is, A reactor vessel monitoring specimen box formed so that a specimen is pushed through a storage space opening of one of the two side storage compartments and is guided to be withdrawn through an opening of the other side storage compartment along a connected passageway of the storage spaces.

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