Patent ID: 9576686
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: F04D,G21C,Y02E

Claim:
1. An apparatus comprising: a nuclear core comprising a fissile material; a vertically oriented cylindrical pressure vessel containing the nuclear core immersed in primary coolant water; a cylindrical riser oriented coaxially inside the pressure vessel, the pressure vessel and the central riser defining a downcomer annulus; a plurality of turbo pumps disposed in the pressure vessel to provide active circulation of primary coolant water in the pressure vessel wherein each turbo pump includes a turbine operatively connected with an impeller to drive the impeller; a manifold plenum chamber including an annular housing, the manifold plenum chamber being disposed in the pressure vessel so that the annular housing surrounds the central riser and is in fluid communication with inlets of the turbines of the plurality of turbo pumps; and an electrically driven pump operatively connected with the manifold plenum chamber to pressurize the manifold plenum chamber with primary coolant water.