Patent Number: 052951707
Section: description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, a nuclear reactor 1 of the present invention features a reactor vessel 2 and steam generators 4.1, 4.2 enclosed within a containment vessel 6. The containment vessel is supported by a concrete foundation 8. Concrete 10 within the containment vessel defines spaces for the reactor vessel and the primary coolant pumps 12 on the lower ends of the steam generators. Sumps 14.1, 14.2 for the ECCS Water are defined by the concrete 10 proximate to the steam generators 4.1, 4.2. Also within the containment vessel is a water storage tank (not shown) for the ECCS and a passive heat exchanger (not shown) within the ECCS water storage tank. The water tank has a capacity of about 600,000 gallons. After a loss of core coolant accident, the water from the water tank is dumped into the containment vessel 6. The maximum post accident water level 16 is depicted by a broken line. Referring now also to FIG. 2, located above the maximum post accident water level 16 is a stainless steel pH tank 18 having a capacity of about 160-200 ft.sup.3, depending upon the size of the reactor. During normal operation of the reactor 1, the pH tank 18 is about 80-85% filled with liquid NaOH 19. Extending from the bottom end of the pH tank 18 are two tubes 22.1, 22.2 connecting the tank to the inlets of two squib valves 20.1, 20.2. The outlets of the squib valves 20.1, 20.2 connect to routing means for directing the NaOH 19 from the pH tank 18 to spaced apart pH sumps 24.1, 24.2 located in the containment. Fluid lines 26.1 and 26.2 both feed into a common line 28. The common line 28 connects to two flow adjustment orifices 30.1, 30.2 that in turn connect to sump injection lines 32.1, 32.2. Lines 32.1, 32.2 are open at their other ends, opposite the flow adjustment orifices 30.1, 30.2, such that any fluid within them may gravitationally drain into pH sumps 24.1, 24.2. The upper end of the pH tank 18 is connected to nitrogen gas line 34. The liquid NaOH 19 in the pH tank 18 is covered with a slight overpressure of N.sub.2 gas 36. In gas communication with the pH tank 18 via line 34 are two vacuum breakers 38.1, 38.2. Four radiation monitors 40 (see FIG. 1) are located at dispersed points within the containment vessel 6. Each of the monitors provides a radiation signal indicative of a radiation condition to a logic circuit 41. When the radiation signals from at least two of the monitors 40 exceed predetermined levels (orders of magnitude above normal levels), the logic circuit 41 provides a trigger signal to both squib valves 20.1, 20.2. The trigger signal activates the explosive squib valves 20.1, 20.2, thereby opening them. The NaOH 19 in the pH tank 18 gravitationally drains through lines 22.1, 22.2, squib valves 20.1, 20.2, lines 26.1, 26.2, common line 28, flow adjustment orifices 30.1, 30.2, and sump injection lines 32.1, 32.2 into pH sumps 24.1, 24.2. The initial outflow of NaOH from the tank creates a partial vacuum, opening the vacuum breakers 38.1, 38.2 to admit air to the tank 18 to aid in draining. The pH sumps 24.1, 24.2 are located in close proximity to the ECCS sumps 14.1, 14.2 such that the NaOH will mix with ECCS water quickly. In a preferred embodiment, the pH sumps are at the bottom of the ECCS sumps, 14.1, 14.2, as depicted in FIG. 1, such that ECCS water circulating from the ECCS sumps through a network of circulation pipes (not shown) to other areas of the containment mix with NaOH in the pH sumps. Radiation monitors 40 are well know in the art of nuclear reactor design, as is the logic circuitry 41 for triggering the squib valves 20.1, 20.2. These instruments and the squib valves may be operated from their own dedicated power supply so that they will not be subject to common cause failure with other reactor systems. The pH sumps 24.1, 24.2 have a combined volume sufficient to hold the contents of the pH tank 18. The flow adjustment orifices 30.1, 31.2 are pre-set such that each pH sump receives the same amount of NaOH. In setting up the system, or at any later time prior to an accident that activates the system, the flow can be adjusted to a proper balance by feeding demineralized water to flow adjustment orifices 30.1, 30.2, measuring the existing flow characteristics, determining the desired balance and flow rate, and changing the flow adjustment orifices accordingly. The demineralized water enters the system through port 42. The line leading from port 42 splits into lines 46.1 and 46.2 that feed into lines 26.1 and 26.2, respectively. The water then enters common line 28 that feeds the flow adjustment orifices 30.1, 30.2. Water valves 48.1, 48.2 in lines 46.1, 46.2 are shut in normal reactor operation and are only opened for flow adjustment or to flush out the lines. The pH tank 18 has a pair of fluid level monitors 44.1, 44.2. The monitors can be heated thermocouples having multiple set points to indicate different fluid levels. The outputs of the monitors are displayed in the control room (not shown). A fill line 50 is also provided for the pH tank 10. The N.sub.2 gas 36 that fills the space in the pH tank 18 above the liquid NaOH 19 is provided as a nonreactive cover for the NaOH. Otherwise, if air containing water vapor were allowed to enter the pH tank 18, the water vapor would degrade the NaOH. Air is prevented from entering the tank by maintaining an overpressure of about 10-20 PSI in gas line 34. The overpressure also ensures that the vacuum breakers 38.1, 38.2 will not open accidentally. N.sub.2 gas line 34 is provided with a relief valve 52, and with a vent 62 that can be connected to a vacuum line (not shown). The vent 62 is normally capped and valved off by valve 60. Pressure sensor 56 connected to line 34 provides a signal indicative of the N.sub.2 gas pressure to a pressure display 58 in the control room. The pressure sensor 56 can be valved off from line 34 by valve 54. N.sub.2 gas is fed from source 70 into line 34 via line 64. Valve 68 connects the source 70 to line 64, and valve 66 connects lines 34 and 64. The N.sub.2 gas source 70 can be a pressurized tank (not shown). Line 64 has relief valve 72 connected to it. Means are provided to check for blockages in lines 22.1, 22.2 with N; gas. Line 64 branches into lines 76.1, 76.2, which can be valved off by valves 74.1, 74.2. Lines 76.1 and 76.2 connect at their other ends to lines 22.1 and 22.2, respectively, just above squib valves 20.1, 20.2. By closing valve 66 and opening valve 74.1, N.sub.2 gas will flow through line 76.1 into line 22.1 and, if that line is clear, bubble up through the NaOH 19 in the pH tank 18 and vent through relief valve 52. Line 22.2 can be checked in a similar fashion by opening valve 74.2 instead of valve 74.1. Also provided is means for sampling the contents of pH tank 18. Line 80, connecting to and extending down from line 76.2 at an elevation below the bottom of the pH tank 18, is provided with a valve 78 to extract fluid from the line. The open end of line 80 is normally capped when not in use. All fluid and gas lines, like the pH tank, should be of a durable, corrosion resistant material. Stainless steel tubes of 3/4"-1" nominal diameter are preferred. One can readily appreciate from the foregoing discussion that the passive means of adjusting the pH of post-accident water is highly redundant for additional reliability. For example, there are two squib valves, two vacuum breakers, and two fluid lines from the pH tank to direct the NaOH to two pH sumps. Active elements in the system are kept to a minimum, reducing the chances of common cause failures. With the benefit of the foregoing, one skilled in the art may be able to make modifications to the invention in whole or in part, in addition to those set forth, without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.