Patent ID: 6160863
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: G21C,Y02E

Abstract:
A volume control system for a nuclear reactor comprising:a primary coolant circuit for cooling a nuclear reactor, said primary coolant circuit including a pressurizer connected thereto;a secondary coolant circuit connected to said primary coolant circuit comprising:a letdown heat exchanger for receiving a desired amount of coolant being bled from said primary coolant circuit;a fluid source for receiving and storing said coolant from said letdown heat exchanger;at least first and second variable speed charging pumps connected to the fluid source for returning coolant into said primary coolant circuit at a variable rate that is selected based in part on a rate of letdown flow; anda pressurizer level control system connected to each of said first and second variable speed charging pumps to independently control the speed of each of said first and second charging pumps in accordance with a level of coolant in the pressurizer.