Evolution of the Evening Method of Coolant Flow in the Large Core Based on Patent History

Abstract

Generally, the reactor vessel is cylindrical having a hemispherical lower end. The core barrel is connected to the interior walls of the reactor vessel at or adjacent to the area where the cylindrical and hemispherical portions of the reactor vessel meet. Below the main core support, i.e. the core barrel that is capped at its lower end with the lower core support, the hemispherical vessel defines a lower head or lower plenum. A generally annular downcomer surrounds the reactor core barrel between the core barrel and an inner wall of the reactor vessel. Cooling fluid, typically water, is pumped into this annular downcomer. The coolant fluid circulates downward into the lower plenum. The hemispherical shape of the lower plenum assists in evenly circulating the coolant fluid therein. A plurality of reactor core coolant inlet openings are located on the underside of the lower core support plate. Coolant flows from the lower plenum, into the core coolant inlet openings and upwardly into the core to cool the fuel assemblies. With the advent of larger plants with larger cores it became evident that further means were necessary to improve the distribution of coolant flow in the lower plenum to assure uniform coolant flow and pressure were maintained across all of the reactor core coolant inlet openings in the lower core support plate. Non-uniform coolant pressure or flow causes uneven coolant flow into the core, which results in uneven cooling of the fuel assemblies of the core. Uneven fuel assembly cooling may force the entire core to be derated to accommodate “hot assembly” locations. Non-uniform coolant flow and pressure may result in vortices or other flow disruptions to form in the coolant fluid circulating in the lower plenum. According to patent filing history, dozens of devices have been proposed to uniform the distribution of coolant flow. Those device could be categorized several kinds. As coolant flow in the fringe of low core plate, firstly the cylinder shape has been applied to prevent the vortex. This biggest vortex is formed by that the downflow from core barrel has 180° direction diverting with the upflow into LCP, diverting between the high speed flows. In order to maintain adequate and uniform cooling throughout the core, it is important that a uniform coolant flow and pressure be maintained across all of the reactor core coolant inlet openings in the lower core support plate. The second way to is put some device in the bottom of lower plenum to prevent vortex. The third is changing flow distribution of LCP by setting some flow limiting devices.