Patent Number: 040574679
Section: abstract

An integrated pressurized-water reactor and steam generator is disclosed, particularly for ship propulsion and smaller stationary installations, in which circulating pumps of primary coolant loops are arranged in the upper part of a vertical pressure vessel close to the vessel's removable head. An annular steam generator is arranged centrally within the vessel, and above the outer periphery of a reactor core in the vessel's lower portion, and is suspended via a separate hollow ring supported by the vessel's upper portion and in which the impellers of the circulating pumps are arranged. The primary cooling water flows upwardly through the reactor core and the heat exchanger to the pumps located above, and from there, through a separate ring passage outside of the heat exchanger housing and core downward to again flow upwardly through the reactor core. Secondary steam and primary feed water nozzles can be disassembled sideways, so that although normally connecting with internal parts, all internals can be removed upwardly from the pressure vessel so that the pressure vessel can be checked everywhere. In the event of a failure of the circulating pumps, the afterheat given off by the reactor core after being shut down, is transmitted to the heat exchanger through natural thermal circulation of the water in the vessel.