Pool Reactor Parallel Flow Path for Residual Heat Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nuclear reactor systems face challenges in efficiently removing residual heat during power outages, leading to increased core temperatures due to insufficient natural circulation flow rates, which can compromise safety by potentially causing radioactive material leaks.
Innovation Solution
A pool-type nuclear reactor system with a parallel flow path for residual heat removal, incorporating a normal coolant circulation flow path, an emergency coolant circulation flow path, and a parallel flow path that connects the core inlet plenum and low-temperature pool, enhancing natural circulation flow rates by reducing overall flow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single coolant circulation flow path is used, then the system structure is simple, but the natural circulation flow rate is insufficient leading to inadequate residual heat removal
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant circulation system is segmented into three distinct flow paths: normal coolant circulation flow path, emergency coolant circulation flow path, and parallel flow path for residual heat removal. Each path serves specific functions and can operate independently or in combination, enabling sufficient natural circulation flow rate for effective residual heat removal while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a parallel flow path that operates simultaneously with the normal and emergency flow paths, creating a multi-dimensional coolant circulation architecture. This parallel structure increases the total natural circulation flow rate capability without fundamentally redesigning the existing single-path system, thus improving productivity while controlling complexity
2Ease of operation
If the natural circulation flow path is simplified, then the flow resistance is reduced, but the core outlet temperature increases due to insufficient cooling capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is segmented across three parallel flow paths with different characteristics. The normal flow path handles primary cooling, the emergency flow path provides backup cooling, and the parallel residual heat removal path specifically targets natural circulation enhancement. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall flow resistance while maintaining adequate cooling capacity to control core outlet temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the system parameters by adding a dedicated parallel flow path with optimized geometry and resistance characteristics. This changes the overall system parameters including total flow rate, pressure drop distribution, and temperature profiles, enabling natural circulation to achieve sufficient cooling capacity without excessive flow resistance while controlling core outlet temperature
3Reliability
If a parallel flow path is added for residual heat removal, then the heat removal efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into functionally distinct flow paths, with the parallel flow path specifically dedicated to residual heat removal. This segmentation improves reliability by providing a specialized path for its intended function while managing complexity through clear functional separation and modular integration with existing normal and emergency flow paths
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel flow path serves multiple purposes: it provides residual heat removal capability, enhances natural circulation, and can operate in combination with normal and emergency flow paths. This multi-functionality improves overall system reliability while justifying the added complexity through versatile operational benefits
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively controls core outlet temperature rises and enhances heat removal efficiency by increasing the flow rate through the core, ensuring safer operation during power outages by efficiently releasing residual heat.
Implementation Method 1
The natural circulation flow rate is determined by the balance between the driving force and the flow resistance of the core and pump in the natural circulation flow path
Implementation Method 2
The driving force of the natural circulation flow rate is generated by a difference in the density and height according to the location of the coolant in the primary system
Implementation Method 3
the nuclear reactor will be shut down and the reactor coolant pump that require power supply may also be shut down. On the other hand, even after the nuclear reactor is shut down, decay heat continues to be generated within the core
Implementation Method 4
an auxiliary cooling system for cooling the high-temperature coolant located in the high-temperature pool heated by the core
Data Source
AI summary
A pool-type nuclear reactor system including a normal coolant circulation flow path configured that, during normal operation, after a low-temperature coolant pumped by a pump located in a low-temperature pool flows into a core inlet plenum, the coolant is heated while passing through the core, and is accommodated into a high-temperature pool, and a high-temperature coolant located in a high-temperature pool is cooled while passing through an intermediate heat exchanger and is re-introduced into the low-temperature pool; an emergency coolant circulation flow path configured that, in the event of a power outage accident, the high-temperature coolant located in the high-temperature pool heated by the core is cooled while passing through an auxiliary cooling system, and then is re-introduced into the core through the pump and the core inlet plenum; and a parallel flow path for residual heat removal configured to connect the core inlet plenum and the low-temperature pool.