Nuclear Reactor Suppression Pool Cooling via Segmented Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for reactor suppression pools do not adequately address the need for enhanced safety margins during events exceeding postulated initiating events or when the residual heat removal system fails.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system incorporating a heat exchanger that can cool suppression pool water by performing heat exchange with a coolant, which is then returned to the pool, and includes alternative cooling configurations such as service water, alternative reactor building closed cooling water units, cooling towers, and air fin coolers to ensure stable cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the residual heat removal system is used to cool suppression pool water, then cooling function is provided under normal postulated initiating events, but the system becomes insufficient when events surpassing postulated initiating events occur or when the system fails
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling paths: the residual heat removal system for normal operation and alternative cooling systems (service water system, air cooler system) for emergency situations. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for specific scenarios while maintaining overall system reliability through diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different cooling modes based on temperature conditions and system availability. The control unit monitors suppression pool water temperature and activates alternative cooling systems when temperature exceeds predetermined thresholds or when the residual heat removal system is unavailable, thereby adapting to varying operational states.
2Reliability
If alternative cooling systems are added to improve safety margins, then defense in depth is reinforced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alternative cooling systems utilize existing multi-functional infrastructure within the nuclear power plant. The service water system, originally designed for other purposes, is repurposed for suppression pool cooling. Similarly, air coolers serve both normal and emergency cooling functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely new dedicated systems, thereby limiting complexity increase while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A control unit acts as an intermediary between the temperature sensing system and the various cooling systems. It automatically monitors suppression pool water temperature and selectively activates appropriate cooling systems based on predetermined criteria, simplifying operator decision-making and reducing control complexity while maintaining enhanced safety capabilities.
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 cools suppression pool water, improving reactor safety and reinforcing defense-in-depth measures even during extreme events or when the residual heat removal system is non-functional, ensuring stable and reliable cooling operations.
Implementation Method 1
A cooling system incorporating a heat exchanger that can cool suppression pool water by performing heat exchange with a coolant
Implementation Method 2
cool suppression pool water by performing heat exchange with a coolant
Implementation Method 3
cooling towers
Implementation Method 4
air fin coolers
Implementation Method 5
air fin coolers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
To provide a cooling system of a reactor suppression pool capable of cooling suppression pool water and improving the safety of a reactor in the case where an event surpassing a postulated initiating event occurs, or in the case where cooling of the suppression pool water by a residual heat removable system does not function. A cooling system of a reactor suppression pool according to the present invention includes a heat exchanger for cooling suppression pool water installed in the middle of a suppression pool water cooling line, operating when the temperature of the suppression pool water reaches a given temperature, performing heat exchange with the suppression pool water from a suppression pool water cleanup system suction line to cool the water, and returning the cooled suppression pool water to the suppression pool through a suppression pool water cleanup system discharge line.