Fail-safe valve device and nuclear reactor facility including same

Abstract

This fail-safe valve device comprises: a flow channel having a communication hole through which a fluid passes; a plug for opening and closing the communication hole; a return member that presses the plug in a first direction to close the communication hole; and a plurality of support portions that support the plug so that the plug stays in a first position. The plurality of support members generate supporting forces independently of each other so that the plug stays in the first position. When the plurality of support members stop generating the supporting forces, the plug moves to a second position that is different from the first position.

Description

Safety isolation valve device and reactor equipment including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a safety isolation valve device and a nuclear reactor facility including the same. This research is related to the Innovative SMR Comprehensive Safety Assessment (Project Identification Number: 1415188098, Project Number: 00258118, Research Period: 2024.01.01 ~ 2024.12.31) of the Innovative Small Modular Reactor Technology Development Project, which was conducted at the Central Research Institute of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. with support from the Innovative Small Modular Reactor Technology Development Project Group funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Government).

[0002] Fail-safe valves, which are used to ensure safety in industrial facilities, chemical processes, power plants, etc., are applied to maintain a certain position under normal conditions. All elements involved in generating support force, i.e. the power source, can cause unnecessary safety function activation of the fail-safe valve if an unintended loss of support force occurs.

[0003] Although the unnecessary safety function operation of these safety isolation valves was reflected in the design (automatically moving to a safe position) and did not pose a problem from the perspective of maintaining the overall safety of the system, it had the problem of causing a decrease in the operating rate of the entire system and the cost and time required for restarting.

[0004] Considering the above situation, a trade-off requirement must be met: in an emergency, it must operate due to an intentional loss of support, but in normal times, it must not operate unnecessarily.

[0005] Meanwhile, nuclear power plants implement multiple barriers to prevent the spread of accidental effects. During normal operation, pipelines exist to protect fluid flow and signal lines that penetrate the barriers for heat exchange and maintenance purposes. However, in the event of an unplanned shutdown or other accident, safety isolation valves are essential to prevent radioactive materials from leaking through these pipelines.

[0006] Therefore, safety isolation valves used in nuclear power plants must operate in response to intentional loss of support capacity to prevent radioactive materials from escaping in the event of an emergency shutdown or other accident, and it is also necessary to develop systems and valve devices that prevent unnecessary operation due to unintentional loss of support capacity during normal times.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention have been invented against the background described above, and are intended to provide a safety isolation valve device and a reactor facility including the same, which can prevent an unnecessary isolation operation from occurring through another support force when one of the support forces is unintentionally short-circuited through a plurality of support parts having different support forces.

[0008] A safety isolation valve device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a flow channel having a communication hole through which a fluid passes; a plug for opening and closing the communication hole; a return member for pressing the plug in a first direction to close the communication hole; and a plurality of support members for supporting the plug to maintain a first position, wherein the plurality of support members independently generate a support force for the plug to maintain the first position, and when the plurality of support members lose the support force, the plug moves to a second position different from the first position.

[0009] Additionally, the plug may include a plug head that is seated in the communication hole, a rod extending from the plug head, and a plug body formed at an end of the rod.

[0010] Additionally, the plug head may be formed of an elastic material to seal the communication hole.

[0011] In addition, the outer surface of the plug head may include a head slope surface whose width decreases as it goes in the first direction, and the inner surface of the communication hole may include a hole slope surface that has the same slope as the slope of the head slope surface and comes into contact with the head slope surface.

[0012] In addition, the return member is formed of an elastic body, and the elastic force of the elastic body can be provided in a direction in which the plug deviates from the first position when the plurality of supporting parts simultaneously lose the supporting force.

[0013] Additionally, the support force of each of the plurality of support members may be greater than the elastic force generated in the return member.

[0014] In addition, the plug body further includes a housing that accommodates the plug body; and a stopper that protrudes inwardly from the inner surface of the housing, wherein the plug body can be restricted from moving in a direction opposite to the first direction by the stopper.

[0015] Additionally, the plurality of supporting members may include a first supporting member that generates the supporting force by electromagnetic force; and a second supporting member that generates the supporting force by pneumatic force.

[0016] Additionally, the first support member may include a housing that accommodates the plug body and a coil wound on an outer surface of the housing to transmit the electromagnetic force to the plug body.

[0017] In addition, the second support member includes an inlet for supplying compressed air into the interior of the housing; and a piston plate for pressurizing one end of the plug body through the compressed air supplied into the interior of the housing, and the housing can be sealed from the outside in a portion other than the inlet.

[0018] In addition, the bellows pipe may further include a bellows pipe for blocking the fluid from flowing into the plurality of supports, and the bellows pipe may be arranged in the flow channel to seal a gap between the plug head and the flow channel.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, a nuclear reactor facility comprises: a reactor vessel; a containment vessel accommodating the reactor vessel; and a safety isolation valve device disposed in the reactor vessel and blocking internal radioactive material from being discharged to the outside in the event of an accident in the reactor vessel; the safety isolation valve device comprises: a flow channel having a communication hole through which a fluid passes; a plug for opening and closing the communication hole; a return member for pressing the plug in a first direction to close the communication hole; and a plurality of support members for supporting the plug to maintain a first position, wherein the plurality of support members independently generate a support force for the plug to maintain the first position, and when the plurality of support members simultaneously lose the support force, the plug moves to a second position different from the first position.

[0020] According to embodiments of the present invention, the probability of occurrence of unnecessary isolation operations can be significantly reduced by performing isolation operations only when all different types of power sources are released.

[0021] In addition, there is an effect of improving the operating efficiency of the safety isolation valve device by reducing the occurrence of unnecessary isolation operations through different heterogeneous power sources.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a reactor facility including a safety isolation valve device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 is a configuration diagram showing a state before the safety isolation valve device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is isolated.

[0024] Figure 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a safety isolation valve device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is isolated.

[0025] Figure 4 is a partial configuration diagram showing the plug of Figure 2.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a state in which the first support member according to the first embodiment of the present invention is driven and the second support member is not driven.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the first support member according to the first embodiment of the present invention is not driven and the second support member is driven.

[0028] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a safety isolation valve device including a bellows pipe according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Hereinafter, specific embodiments for implementing the technical idea of ​​the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0030] In addition, when explaining the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0031] Additionally, when it is said that a component is 'connected to', 'supported by', 'supplied by', or 'transmitted to' another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected to, supported by, supplied by, or transmitted to that other component, but there may also be other components present in between.

[0032] The terminology used herein is intended solely to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0033] Additionally, please note that the terms "upper side," "lower side," and "side" in this specification are based on the illustrations in the drawings and may be expressed differently if the orientation of the subject changes. For the same reason, some components in the attached drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted, and the sizes of each component do not fully reflect the actual size.

[0034] Additionally, terms that include ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by such terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0035] The term "comprising" as used in the specification means specifying a particular characteristic, region, integer, step, operation, element and / or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of other particular characteristics, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups.

[0036] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a detailed configuration of a safety isolation valve device (30) according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a reactor facility (1) including the same will be described.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the reactor facility (1) of the present invention can generate steam for operating turbines, ships, facilities, etc. The reactor facility (1) can be installed on the ground, but is not limited thereto, and can be loaded onto a mobile device such as a ship or vehicle. The reactor facility (1) includes a reactor vessel (10), a containment vessel (20), and a safety isolation valve device (30).

[0038] The reactor vessel (10) may include a core (not shown) for generating heat and steam using nuclear fission. In addition, a pressurizer (not shown) for controlling the internal pressure of the reactor vessel (10) may be formed on the upper portion of the reactor vessel (10). The reactor vessel (10) may discharge steam to the containment vessel (20) when the reactor facility (1) is in an accident state. The steam discharged to the containment vessel (20) may be formed into condensate. In addition, the pressure inside the reactor vessel (10) may decrease while discharging steam when in an accident state.

[0039] The containment vessel (20) can accommodate the reactor vessel (10). The containment vessel (20) can maintain a vacuum state inside when the reactor facility (1) is in normal operation. In addition, when the reactor facility (1) is in an accident state, the pressure inside the containment vessel (20) can increase due to steam discharged from the reactor vessel (10), and condensate can be accommodated.

[0040] A safety isolation valve device (30) isolates radioactive materials from the reactor vessel (10) from being discharged to the outside when the reactor facility (1) is in an accident state. The safety isolation valve device (30) may be placed between the reactor vessel (10) and the containment vessel (20). The safety isolation valve device (30) includes a flow channel (100), a plug (200), a return member (300), and a support member (400).

[0041] The flow channel (100) provides a passage that guides the flow of fluid (P). This flow channel (100) can provide a passage through which radioactive fluid in the reactor vessel (10) moves when the reactor facility (1) is in a normal operating state. In addition, the flow channel (100) can serve as an isolation barrier that isolates radioactive fluid when the reactor facility (1) is in an accident state. A communication hole (110) through which the fluid (P) passes can be provided in the flow channel (100).

[0042] The communication hole (110) provides a passage through which a fluid (P) passes or isolates itself. The communication hole (110) may be isolated or opened by a plug (200) to be described later. The communication hole (110) may be provided with a hole slope (111).

[0043] The hole slope (111) is provided to be in close contact with the outer surface of the plug (200) that is seated in the communication hole (110). The hole slope (111) may be provided with the same slope as the head slope (211) of the plug (200) described later. The width of the hole slope (111) may become narrower as it gets farther from the support (400). The hole slope (111) may be formed on the inner surface of the communication hole (110).

[0044] The plug (200) serves to open and close the communication hole (110). The plug (200) can be arranged in a straight line with the communication hole (110). The plug (200) is provided to open and close the communication hole (110). The plug (200) includes a plug head (210), a rod (220), and a plug body (230).

[0045] The plug head (210) can be seated in the communication hole (110). The plug head (210) can be provided with an elastic material to improve sealing with the communication hole (110). The plug head (210) can be placed inside the flow channel (100). The plug head (210) can move to the communication hole (110) and be seated in the communication hole (110) or move away from the communication hole (110) and be separated from the communication hole (110), thereby closing or opening the communication hole (110).

[0046] The plug head (210) may include a head slope (211). The head slope (211) may be in close contact with the hole slope (111). The head slope (211) may be provided on the outer surface of the plug head (210). The width of the head slope (211) may become narrower as it moves away from the support (400).

[0047] The rod (220) connects the plug head (210) and the plug body (230). The rod (220) may extend in a straight line based on the communication hole (110). The rod (220) may be provided to penetrate one surface of the flow channel (100) and extend into the interior of the housing (411) described below.

[0048] The plug body (230) is formed at one end of the rod (220). The plug body (230) may be formed wider than the width of the plug head (210) and the rod (220). The plug body (230) may be provided so as to be in close contact with the internal space of the housing (411) described later. The plug body (230) may be provided so as to receive external supporting force. For example, the plug body (230) may generate supporting force in one direction by transmitting electromagnetic force through an electromagnetic field generated from a coil (412) described later. In addition, the plug body (230) may generate supporting force by pressing one surface of the plug body (230) through a pressing force generated from a piston plate (422) described later.

[0049] The return member (300) is provided to close or open the communication hole (110) through the plug (200). The return member (300) can be mounted on one surface of the plug (200). The return member (300) is formed of an elastic body having elasticity, and when the supporting force of the support member (400) is lost, the plug (200) can be moved through the elastic force. Here, the elastic body may be a coil spring or a bushing, etc. The support member (400) may be provided so that the supporting force is applied to the plug (200) in a direction opposite to the direction in which the elastic force of the return member (300) is applied. The support member (400) may be provided so as to maintain the plug (200) spaced from the communication hole (110) in a constant mode in which isolation of the flow channel (100) is unnecessary. A plurality of support members (400) may be provided, and the plurality of support members (400) may be configured with different types of power sources. The support members (400) may apply a supporting force greater than the elastic force generated by the return member (300). The plurality of support members (400) may include a first support member (410) and a second support member (420).

[0050] The first support member (410) can support the plug (200) based on electromagnetic force. The first support member (410) can be connected to a power line that supplies electricity. The first support member (410) includes a housing (411), a coil (412), and a stopper (413).

[0051] A housing (411) is provided to accommodate a plug body (230). The housing (411) includes a space for accommodating the plug body, and the plug body (230) may be provided to be movable by a predetermined distance within the space for accommodating the plug body. A stopper (413) may be provided in the housing (411) so that the plug body (230), which is moved while losing the elasticity of the return member (300), may be stopped at a predetermined position. The stopper (413) may protrude inwardly from the inner surface of the housing (411) by a predetermined length. The plug body (230) may be restricted from moving in a direction in which the support force of the support member (400) is applied by the stopper (413).

[0052] The coil (412) generates an electromagnetic field and transmits electromagnetic force to the plug body (230). The coil (412) may be wound on the outer surface of the housing (411). A cover member (not shown) covering the outside of the coil (412) may be provided. The second support member (420) may support the plug (200) using compressed air as a power source. The second support member (420) may be connected to a compressor that supplies compressed air. The second support member (420) may include an inlet (421) and a piston plate (422).

[0053] The inlet (421) introduces compressed air into the interior of the housing (411). The inlet (421) may be provided as a conduit communicating with the interior of the housing (411). A valve (not shown) for controlling the flow of fluid may be provided in the inlet (421).

[0054] The piston plate (422) is moved by compressed air and pressurizes the plug body (230). The piston plate (422) can be mounted on one side of the plug body (230). The piston plate (422) can be provided to support the plug body (230) from moving toward the communication hole (110) by compressed air.

[0055] The compression space formed by the inlet (421), the piston plate (422), and the inner surface of the housing (411) can be sealed from the outside to accommodate compressed air. The volume of the compression space can change depending on the movement of the piston plate (422).

[0056] Below, the operation and effect of a safety isolation valve device having the configuration described above are described.

[0057] The safety isolation valve device (30) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, stops the flow of fluid by releasing the power source of the support member (400) in an accident mode requiring isolation of the reactor facility (1). In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in a normal mode where isolation is unnecessary, the power source of the support member (400) is maintained to allow fluid to flow.

[0058] At this time, the support member (400) is provided as a plurality of support members (400) having different types of power sources, so that even if one of the power sources malfunctions and is short-circuited, another power source maintains the support force, thereby preventing unnecessary isolation operations from occurring in advance.

[0059] Specifically, referring to FIG. 5, when the compressed air, which is the power source of the second support member (420), is not supplied due to an unintended malfunction, the supply of electricity, which is the power source of the first support member (410), can be maintained, thereby preventing unnecessary isolation operation of the safety isolation valve device (30).

[0060] In addition, referring to FIG. 6, when the electricity, which is the power source of the first support member (410), is not supplied due to an unintended malfunction, the supply of compressed air, which is the power source of the second support member (410), can be maintained, thereby preventing unnecessary isolation operation of the safety isolation valve device (30).

[0061] In other words, the support member (400) performs an isolation operation only when all different types of power sources are released, thereby significantly reducing the probability of unnecessary isolation operation occurring, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the safety isolation valve device (30).

[0062] Meanwhile, in addition to these configurations, a bellows pipe (500) according to a second embodiment of the present invention may be provided. Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In describing the second embodiment, differences compared to the aforementioned embodiment will be primarily discussed, and the same description will refer to the aforementioned embodiment.

[0063] Referring to Fig. 7, a bellows pipe (500) may be provided to block fluid flowing in a flow channel (100) from flowing into a support member (400). The bellows pipe (500) may be connected to a gap between a plug head (210) and a flow channel (100). For example, the bellows pipe (500) may be attached to the upper surface of the plug head (210) and the ceiling surface of the flow channel (100), and the attachment method may be bolting or adhesive, etc.

[0064] The bellows pipe (500) according to the second embodiment of the present invention can prevent the fluid flowing in the flow channel (100) from leaking into another space. Here, the bellows pipe (500) can be connected without being detached even when the plug (200) reciprocates by changing its length through the contraction or expansion of multiple folded portions.

[0065] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described as specific embodiments, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto, but should be construed to have the broadest scope in accordance with the technical concepts disclosed in this specification. Those skilled in the art may combine / substitute the disclosed embodiments to implement patterns of shapes not specified, but this also does not depart from the scope of the present invention. In addition, those skilled in the art may easily modify or alter the disclosed embodiments based on this specification, and it is clear that such modifications or alterations also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow channel having a communication hole through which a fluid passes; A plug for opening and closing the above-mentioned communication hole; A return member for pressing the plug in a first direction to close the above-mentioned communication hole; The plug comprises a plurality of supports for maintaining the first position, The plurality of supports independently generate a supporting force to maintain the plug in the first position, and when the plurality of supports simultaneously lose the supporting force, the plug moves to a second position different from the first position. Safety isolation valve device.

2. In paragraph 1, The above plug, A plug head that is installed in the above-mentioned communication hole; a load extending from the above plug head; and Including a plug body formed at the end of the above load, Safety isolation valve device.

3. In paragraph 2, The above plug head is formed of an elastic material to seal the communication hole. Safety isolation valve device.

4. In paragraph 2, The outer surface of the plug head includes a head slope whose width decreases as it goes in the first direction, and the inner surface of the communication hole includes a hole slope that has the same slope as the slope of the head slope and is in contact with the head slope. Safety isolation valve device.

5. In paragraph 1, The above return member is formed of an elastic body, The elastic force of the elastic body is provided in a direction in which the plug leaves the first position when the plurality of supporting parts simultaneously lose the supporting force. Safety isolation valve device.

6. In paragraph 5, The support force of each of the plurality of support members is greater than the elastic force generated from the return member. Safety isolation valve device.

7. In paragraph 6, A housing accommodating the above plug body; and Further comprising a stopper protruding inward from the inner surface of the housing, The above plug body is restricted from moving in the direction opposite to the first direction by the stopper. Safety isolation valve device.

8. In paragraph 2, The above multiple supports are, A first support member that generates the support force by electromagnetic force; and Including a second support member that generates the above-mentioned support force by pneumatic means, Safety isolation valve device.

9. In paragraph 8, The above first support member, A housing that accommodates the plug body and a coil wound on the outer surface of the housing to transmit the electromagnetic force to the plug body, Safety isolation valve device.

10. In paragraph 9, The above second support member, an inlet for supplying compressed air into the interior of the housing; and It includes a piston plate that pressurizes one end of the plug body through the compressed air supplied to the inside of the housing, The above housing is sealed from the outside except for the inlet port. Safety isolation valve device.

11. In paragraph 2, Further comprising a bellows pipe that blocks the fluid from flowing into the plurality of supports, The bellows pipe is placed in the flow channel to seal the gap between the plug head and the flow channel. Safety isolation valve device.

12. Reactor vessel; A containment vessel accommodating the reactor vessel; and A safety isolation valve device is disposed in the reactor vessel and includes a safety isolation valve device that blocks radioactive materials inside the reactor vessel from being discharged to the outside in the event of an accident in the reactor vessel; The above safety isolation valve device, A flow channel having a communication hole through which a fluid passes; A plug for opening and closing the above-mentioned communication hole; A return member for pressing the plug in a first direction to close the above-mentioned communication hole; The plug comprises a plurality of supports for maintaining the first position, The plurality of supports independently generate a supporting force to maintain the plug in the first position, and when the plurality of supports simultaneously lose the supporting force, the plug moves to a second position different from the first position. Nuclear reactor facilities.

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