Patent Publication Number: US-2022230770-A1

Title: Degasification system for a nuclear power plant and method for degassing a flow of reactor coolant

Description:
The present disclosure relates to a nuclear power plant comprising a nuclear reactor and a reactor coolant circuit containing a reactor coolant, in particular based on water or similar to water (e.g. light-water or heavy-water), further comprising a degasification system for the reactor coolant. The present disclosure also relates to an according method of degassing a reactor coolant of a nuclear reactor. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A nuclear power plant comprises a nuclear reactor and an associated reactor coolant circuit in which a reactor coolant circulates. For various reasons it may be necessary to remove dissolved gases from the liquid reactor coolant. The process is called ‘degasification’ or ‘degassing’. One reason may be the removal of oxygen to avoid corrosion in the enclosing line or piping system. Another reason may be to prepare the nuclear reactor for maintenance such that the amount of radionuclides is as low as necessary in order to reach reactor vessel opening limits. 
     EP 2 109 114 A2 discloses a nuclear power plant with a degasification system for a reactor coolant. Said degasification system is based on vaporization (with stripping gas applied). 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,425 A discloses a nuclear power plant with a vacuum degassing apparatus. 
     US 2016/225470 A1 discloses a nuclear power plant with a membrane-based degassing apparatus. 
     SUMMARY 
     These existing degasification systems in nuclear power plants are considered to be expensive, energy-intensive, inefficient, and space-demanding. 
     Therefore, an objective underlying the present disclosure is to provide a nuclear power plant with a degasification system which can be easily integrated into the surrounding systems with low space-demand, which in the case of existing plants can be adapted to various needs, and which works reliably and efficiently. Furthermore, the present disclosure shall provide an according method for degassing a flow of reactor coolant of a nuclear reactor. 
     Hence, a nuclear power plant is provided comprising a nuclear reactor and a reactor coolant circuit containing a reactor coolant, further comprising a degasification system for the reactor coolant, wherein the degasification system is an ultrasonic degasification system comprising a sonotrode cluster with at least one sonotrode arranged in a line of the reactor coolant circuit or in a line which is fluidically connected to the reactor coolant circuit, preferably allowing continuous degasification of the reactor coolant. 
     In an ultrasonic degasification system, the gas dissolved in a liquid forms small cavitation bubbles due to the ultrasonic application of energy. In a separation vessel or tank, the micro bubbles gather into larger bubbles and rise to the surface of the liquid such that the separated gas can be extracted. An ultrasonic oscillator is also called sonotrode. 
     The present disclosure is based on this known technology, which is commercially available, proven and tested in other industry sectors, and transforms it into a suitable application for degassing a reactor coolant of a nuclear plant. Advantages are, among others: cost and energy-efficient, space-saving, low-maintenance, easy installation and operation, modular design, expandable (scalable) on demand. 
     In a preferred embodiment the sonotrode cluster comprises a plurality of sonotrodes in parallel-flow configuration. Preferably, the number of flown through (active) sonotrodes is adjustable with the help of according control valves. 
     For a continuous operation each sonotrode is preferably arranged within a flow-through cell which can be any container, pipe or tank suitable for flow-through operation. 
     While in principle it is possible to place said sonotrode in the same vessel, tank or pipe in which the gas separation occurs, it is advantageous for the here-described application to have the ultrasonic subsystem and the separation subsystem spatially separated from each other, such that there is a separation vessel downstream of the sonotrode cluster. 
     Preferably, the separation vessel comprises a gas space to which a suction line for an extracted gas flow is connected. Hence, during operation the gas space is preferably kept under negative pressure with respect to the atmosphere. Gas separation may also be achieved or supported by a purging gas via the separation vessel. 
     In a preferred embodiment there is a sonotrode cooling system, preferably with a fluid heat transfer medium or coolant circulating inside an open or a closed cooling loop. Additionally or alternatively, in particular in case of bigger clusters of sonotrodes, there is a flow cooling system, preferably of the same kind, for cooling the liquid flow leaving the sonotrodes. 
     A particular advantageous embodiment relates to a nuclear power plant with a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) and with a primary reactor coolant circuit and a secondary reactor cooling circuit, wherein the reactor coolant to be degassed is a primary reactor coolant of the primary reactor coolant circuit. However, degassing a secondary reactor coolant of the secondary reactor coolant circuit is also possible. In this context, the term ‘Pressurized Water Reactor’ is to be understood in a broad sense which includes light-water reactors such as the European Pressurized (Water) Reactor (EPR) or the German ‘Druckwasserreaktor’ (DWR), but also heavy-water reactors such as CANDU. The CANDU, for Canada Deuterium Uranium, is a well-known Canadian pressurized heavy-water reactor design. 
     Usually, access to the primary reactor coolant of the primary reactor coolant circuit is possible via an associated reactor Chemical and Volume Control System (CVCS) comprising a letdown line and a Volume Control Tank. Preferably, a supply line leads from the letdown line to the sonotrode cluster such that a branch flow of the flow through the CVCS control system is treated by the ultrasonic subsystem. 
     In this case it is particularly useful when the Volume Control Tank is arranged to act as a separation vessel for a flow of primary reactor coolant leaving the sonotrode cluster. 
     More generally, any liquid within a nuclear power plant may be degassed by an ultrasonic degasification system of the kind described here, for example boric acid and/or demineralized water before injection into the circulating reactor coolant. 
     With respect to the method, the present disclosure suggests a method for degassing a flow of reactor coolant of a nuclear reactor, the method comprising the following steps: 
     (a) applying ultrasonic vibrations to the flow with the help of at least one sonotrode, and then
 
(b) guiding the flow into a separation vessel, wherein a flow of gas is separated from a liquid phase.
 
     Preferably, the steps (a) and (b) are executed continuously. 
     The device-related remarks above apply to the method analogously. 
     Briefly summarizing, the system according to the present disclosure is intended and suitable for degasification of a flow of reactor coolant within an auxiliary system connected to the reactor coolant circuit. For better scalability and modularity, a cluster of several sonotrodes in parallel-flow configuration is switched into a main flow line. Further optional components include a cooling device for the sonotrodes and/or the main flow and a depressurized gas separator downstream to the sonotrode arrangement. The whole sonotrode arrangement may be located within a movable container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are subsequently described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic overview of a degasification system for a gaseous liquid. 
         FIG. 2  shows a first concrete application of the degasification system according to  FIG. 1  within a nuclear power plant, here for degassing a primary reactor coolant of a pressurized water reactor. 
         FIG. 3  shows a second concrete application of the degasification system according to  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a third concrete application of the degasification system according to  FIG. 1 , in this case a mobile application. 
         FIG. 5  gives an overview of a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) with a primary coolant circuit and related auxiliary systems. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Similar technical elements are assigned the same reference numerals throughout the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic overview of a degasification system  2  for a liquid, that is a liquid containing dissolved gas or vapor. An inflow  4  or stream of liquid to be degassed enters via feed line or pipe or supply line  6  into an ultrasonic subsystem  8  which comprises a cluster of sonotrodes  10 , in brief sonotrode cluster  11 . More precisely, the supply line  6  branches into a number of parallel branch lines  12  or branches such that during operation the liquid inflow  4  is divided into partial flows or streams accordingly. Each branch line  12  comprises an ultrasonic flow-through cell  14  which comprises a sonotrode  10 . In this context, the term ‘cell’ is meant in a broad sense and includes any container or vessel or tank or pipe which is suited for flow-through operation. 
     In general, a sonotrode is a device that creates ultrasonic vibrations and applies vibrational energy to a gas, liquid, solid or tissue. A sonotrode usually consists of a stack of piezoelectric transducers attached to a tapering metal rod. The end of the rod is applied to the working material. An alternating current oscillating at ultrasonic frequency is applied by a separate power supply unit to the piezoelectric transducers. The current causes them to expand and contract. Advantageously, the frequency of the current is chosen to be the resonant frequency of the tool, so the entire sonotrode acts as a half-wavelength resonator, vibrating lengthwise with standing waves at its resonant frequency. The standard frequencies used with ultrasonic sonotrodes range from 20 kHz to 70 kHz. Usually, the amplitude of the vibration is small, about 13 to 130 micrometers. 
     In the context of the present disclosure, each sonotrode  10  applies vibrational energy to the liquid flowing through the according flow-through cell  14 . This leads to cavitation, a phenomenon in which rapid changes of pressure in the liquid lead to local vaporization and thus to the formation of small vapor-filled cavities. In other words, the dissolved gas gets entrapped into micro gas bubbles which can easily be separated from the liquid, preferably in a downstream separation vessel  16 . 
     To this end, the branch lines  12  downstream to the flow-through cells  14  are merged into a common collecting line  18  or pipe which, via a connecting line  20  or pipe, leads to a separation subsystem  22 . The separation subsystem  22  comprises a separation vessel  16  or tank which is designed to be filled with liquid  23  entering from the connecting line  20  up to a given design filling level  24  during flow-through operation. Above the liquid  23  there is a gas space  26  which during operation is preferably kept at a negative pressure (below atmospheric pressure). This is achieved via an extraction line or suction line  28  attached to the separation vessel  16  in the region of the gas space  26  (an according suction pump is not shown here). This way, the gas bubbles contained in the liquid  23  rise up to surface  30  of the liquid  23  and enter the gas space  26  where the collected gas is withdrawn by suction via suction line  28  as gas flow  31 . Hence, the separation vessel  16  acts as a gas separator for the liquid previously treated in the upstream sonotrode cluster  11 . The degasified liquid is discharged from the separation vessel  16  via discharge line  32  as liquid outflow  34  or stream. 
     The connecting line  20  enters the separation vessel  16  preferably in the region below the gas space  26 , discharging into the liquid  23  gathered therein. In order to support a high separation efficiency, the inlet opening  36  into the separation vessel  16  is preferably designed to support a tangential inward flow. Similarly, the outlet opening  38  into the discharge line  32  preferably supports a tangential outward flow. 
     In addition to or alternative to the suction induced by negative pressure, the separated gas gathering in the gas space  26  above the liquid phase may be drawn from the separation vessel  16  by a purging gas flow  40  entering the gas space  26  via an attached purging gas line  42  (purging gas supply not shown here). 
     Depending on the operating conditions and the objectives of operation some of the sonotrodes  10  may be switched off into a non-active state. It may also be desirable to shut down or to control the liquid flow through the respective flow-through cell  14  with the help of a shut-off valve or control valve  44  in the according branch line  12  of the ultrasonic subsystem  8 . Preferably, the control valve  44  is arranged upstream to the flow-through cell  14  comprising the sonotrode  10 . 
     Depending on the system specification and the operating conditions it may be advantageous to provide cooling for the sonotrodes  10 . In a preferred embodiment, there is a system of cooling lines  46  integrated into the ultrasonic subsystem  8  and being in thermal contact with the sonotrodes  10 , in particular with water as flowing coolant. The coolant is provided at coolant inlet  48  as coolant inflow  50  and discharged at a coolant outlet  52  as coolant outflow  54  after being heated by the waste heat of the sonotrodes  10 . Re-cooling of the coolant is preferably provided by an external re-cooling system (not shown here) such that during operation there is a closed cooling circuit. The coolant in the cooling circuit is preferably driven by a coolant pump which may be integrated into the ultrasonic subsystem  8  or alternatively is located externally. 
     In addition to or alternative to said sonotrode cooling system  56  there may be a flow cooling system  58  for the liquid flow leaving the sonotrodes  10 . This flow cooling system  58  is preferably realized as a cooling circuit with a circulating fluid coolant, just like the sonotrode cooling system  56  described in the previous paragraph. Preferably, the cooling circuit comprises a heat exchanger which is in thermal contract with the collecting line  18 . Alternatively or additionally, it may be in thermal contact with some of or all the individual branch lines  12  downstream the sonotrodes  10 . In particular, the flow cooling system  58  for the liquid outward flow from the sonotrodes  10  may be a part or a branch of or may share common components with the sonotrode cooling system  56 . 
     In summary, during operation of the degasification system  2  a stream or inflow  4  of liquid carrying dissolved gaseous constituents enters the ultrasonic subsystem  8  via supply line  6 , is then diverted or distributed into the parallel branch lines  12  and is led through the flow-through cells  14 , wherein the sonotrodes  10  cause the formation of small gas bubbles within the liquid. The such-treated liquid from the different branch lines  12  is then collected in the collecting line  18 . The resulting liquid flow is led via connecting line  20  to the separation subsystem  22 , wherein it is injected into the separation vessel  16 . Inside the separation vessel  16  the liquid phase is separated from the gaseous phase. The gaseous phase is drawn as a gas flow  31  from the separation vessel  26  via suction line  28  or another suitable extraction line by suction or with the help of a purging gas flow  40 . The degasified liquid outflow  34  leaves the separation vessel  16  via liquid discharge line  32 . 
     During operation the sonotrodes  10  and/or the liquid flow coming from the sonotrodes  10  are preferably cooled by a flow of coolant, preferably water. 
     The whole system and the according process are preferably designed to operate continuously with a continuous inflow of gaseous liquid and a continuous outflow of gas and degasified liquid. Transport of the liquid is preferably accomplished by a number of pumps which may be integrated into the ultrasonic subsystem  8  and/or be placed elsewhere in the line system which guides the liquid. 
     A modular construction is achieved by integrating the ultrasonic subsystem  8  into a housing  60  which encloses the flow-through cells  14  and the sonotrodes  10 , the branch lines  12  with the according branching and junctions, and—if present—the internal cooling lines  46 . Interfaces to the external components and devices of the degasification system  2  include line connectors for the inflow of gaseous liquid, the outflow of degasified liquid, and—if applicable—line connectors for the inflow and outflow of coolant. Alternatively, only the individual flow-through cells  14 —each comprising at least one sonotrode  10  and, if applicable, an according cooling system—are placed inside individual housings, whereas the corresponding line branching and junctions are located outside of these individual housings. 
     The whole ultrasonic subsystem  8  can be designed as mobile device, for example with transport rollers  62 , albeit in view of qualification for seismic loads and the like a stationary installation may be advantageous. 
     The separation subsystem  22  with the separation vessel  16  is preferably arranged as an external facility outside the ultrasonic subsystem  8 . In particular, the separation vessel  16  can be an existing component of an existing technical facility. A simple connecting line  20  (e.g. a hose or a pipe) is required to connect the ultrasonic subsystem  8  to the separation subsystem  22 . The line connection may be realized as a detachable connection, for example by plug and/or clamping means, or as a permanent connection, for example by welding. 
     To avoid re-dissolution of the gas bubbles within the liquid outflow from the sonotrodes  10  before it enters the separation vessel  16 , the length of the connecting line  20  is preferably chosen to be as short as possible, based on the nominal diameter of the main pipe and the flow rate. The transfer time from the sonotrode  10  into the separation vessel  16  shall be in an order of magnitude of 2 to 3 seconds at maximum. 
     The number of branch lines  12  and according sonotrodes  10  in the ultrasonic subsystem  8  is chosen according to the demands of the actual application. In special cases a single sonotrode  10  may be sufficient (i.e. the term ‘sonotrode cluster’ is meant to include the lower limit of just one branch line), while in general a multitude of parallel branch lines  12  and according sonotrodes  10  may be required to handle large volume flows. The related pressure drop in the liquid line is negligible and of no practical concern in most cases. 
     It is also possible to arrange several of the above-described ultrasonic subsystems  8  in parallel, thereby increasing the number of parallel sonotrode branches accordingly. Similarly, it is possible to arrange several of the separation vessels  16  in parallel if corresponding line branches and junctions are provided. 
     Redundancy and/or performance enhancements with respect to existing degasification systems, in particular of a different type, can also be achieved by simply providing suitable line branches and junctions. 
     A corresponding control system may control the individual sonotrodes  10  (in particular the ultrasonic power introduced into the liquid flow), the number of active branches (via the shut-off valves or control valves  44 ), the cooling capacity (via the flow of coolant, e.g. cooling water), and/or the liquid level inside the separation vessel  16 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a first concrete application of the above-described concept within a nuclear power plant. 
     A pressurized water reactor comprises a primary reactor coolant circuit  90  carrying a primary reactor coolant. The primary reactor coolant circuit  90  comprises a Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV)  92 , a pressurizer  94 , a steam generator  96 , and a primary coolant pump  98 . The steam generator  96  provides a thermal connection to the secondary coolant circuit. The volume, the chemical composition, and other physical properties of the circulating primary reactor coolant can be controlled by a Reactor Chemical and Volume control system (CVCS)  70  which is fluidically connected to the primary reactor coolant circuit  90 . This is shown schematically in  FIG. 5 . 
     Turning back to  FIG. 2 , the Reactor Chemical and Volume control system (CVCS)  70  comprises a letdown line  72  for the primary reactor coolant which leads to a high-pressure charging pump  74  for re-injecting the primary reactor coolant into the primary reactor coolant circuit. A Volume Control Tank (VCT)  76  is fluidically connected to the letdown line  72  in a line section upstream to the charging pump  74  at a three-way line branching  78 . 
     To support degasification for a branch stream of the primary reactor coolant, an ultrasonic subsystem  8  with a sonotrode cluster  11  of the above-described kind is used. The supply line  6  for the ultrasonic subsystem  8  is fluidically connected on the inlet side to the letdown line  72 . The according three-way line branching  80  is arranged upstream to the line branching  78  which connects the VCT  76  to the letdown line  72 . Also, the full flow can be routed via this branch. On the outlet side the ultrasonic subsystem  8  is fluidically connected to the VCT  76  via connecting line  20 . The connecting line  20  discharges into a lower region of the VCT  76  which during operation normally contains a liquid phase of the primary reactor coolant. Above the liquid phase there is a gas space  26  to which a suction line  28  is connected. The suction line  28  which during operation is kept under negative pressure leading to an exhaust system (not shown). Furthermore, there may be a purging gas line  42  discharging into the gas space  26  of the VCT  76 , providing a stripping gas stream to the VCT  76  containing nitrogen or another suitable stripping gas. 
     Hence, a partial or full stream of the primary reactor coolant stream running through the letdown line  72  is diverted to the ultrasonic subsystem  8  and is then led into the VCT  76  which acts as separation vessel  16  in the above-described sense and manner. From the VCT  76  the degasified volume is led into the letdown line  72  again via a line acting as discharge line  32  and the three-way branching  78 . Thus, the ultrasonic subsystem  8  and the VCT  76  constitute a degasification system  2  within the Reactor Chemical and Volume Control System  70  which is able to continuously degasify a branch stream of the primary reactor coolant stream or, depending on the needs, also the full stream. 
     In order to retrofit such a degasification system  2  into an existing plant, it is—in principle—merely necessary to provide the connections for the ultrasonic subsystem  8 , and, if necessary, for the suction line  28  and the purging gas line  42 . The ultrasonic subsystem  8  therefore can be treated as a ‘black box’ system during the planning stage. 
     In contrast to a conventional degasification system (&gt;2 MW power for a volume flow of 72 m 3 /h) based on vacuum vaporization, the degasification system according to the present disclosure is much more energy efficient (0.1 MW power for a volume flow of 72 m 3 /h). 
       FIG. 3  shows a second concrete application of the above-described concept within a nuclear power plant. The figure shows the ultrasonic subsystem  8  as cluster in the main stream upstream the Volume Control Tank  76 . The full flow will be routed via the ultrasonic subsystem  8  and the system is built in as a fixed system part. This application is suited for example for older German or French fleet plants comprising hydrogenation inside the Volume Control Tank  76 . A retrofitting of piping seems not necessary, the main flow will be sprayed via the vessel head into a stripping gas flow. However, for this case it seems likely that the concentration of stripping gas in the primary coolant rises considerably. As a logical consequence it is assumed to backfit the separation vessel  16  with an additional connection below the fluid surface in the vessel in order to minimize such effects. 
       FIG. 4  shows a third concrete application of the above-described concept within a nuclear power plant, in which a mobile version of the ultrasonic subsystem  8  is used on demand. The application is meant to work in the same manner as the one in  FIG. 3  beside the fact that the equipment can easily be connected and disconnected at will. 
     While the above description has been focused on applications in the nuclear sector, the proposed degasification system and the according method or process may also be employed in conventional (non-nuclear) power plants or industrial plants wherever it is necessary to degasify a liquid. In particular, the mobile application of  FIG. 4  is instantly suited for such applications as well, without major modifications. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           2  degasification system 
           4  liquid inflow 
           6  supply line 
           8  ultrasonic subsystem 
           10  sonotrode 
           11  sonotrode cluster 
           12  branch line 
           14  flow-through cell 
           16  separation vessel 
           18  collecting line 
           20  connecting line 
           22  separation subsystem 
           23  liquid 
           24  filling level 
           26  gas space 
           28  suction line 
           30  surface 
           31  gas flow 
           32  discharge line 
           34  liquid outflow 
           36  inlet opening 
           38  outlet opening 
           40  purging gas flow 
           42  purging gas line 
           44  control valve 
           46  cooling line 
           48  coolant inlet 
           50  coolant inflow 
           52  coolant outlet 
           54  coolant outflow 
           56  sonotrode cooling system 
           58  flow cooling system 
           60  housing 
           62  transport roller 
           70  Reactor Chemical and Volume Control System (CVCS) 
           72  letdown line 
           74  charging pump 
           76  Volume Control Tank (VCT) 
           78  line branching 
           80  line branching 
           90  primary reactor coolant circuit 
           92  Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) 
           94  pressurizer 
           96  steam generator 
           98  primary coolant pump