Methods for airflow control in reactor passive decay heat removal using a damper

Damper systems selectively reduce coolant fluid flow in nuclear reactor passive cooling systems, including related RVACS. Systems include a damper that blocks the flow in a coolant conduit and is moveable to open, closed, and intermediate positions. The damper blocks the coolant flow when closed to...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Molinaro, Dean D, Dawn, William C, Loewen, Eric P, Sineath, James P
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 05.07.2022
Subjects
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
NUCLEAR PHYSICS
NUCLEAR REACTORS
PHYSICS
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Damper systems selectively reduce coolant fluid flow in nuclear reactor passive cooling systems, including related RVACS. Systems include a damper that blocks the flow in a coolant conduit and is moveable to open, closed, and intermediate positions. The damper blocks the coolant flow when closed to prevent heat loss, vibration, and development of large temperature gradients, and the damper passively opens, to allow full coolant flow, at failure and in transient scenarios. The damper may be moveable by an attachment extending into the coolant channel that holds the damper in a closed position. When a transient occurs, the resulting loss of power and/or overheat causes the attachment to stop holding the damper, which may be driven by gravity, pressure, a spring, or other passive structure into the open position for full coolant flow. A power source and temperature-dependent switch may detect and stop holding the damper closed in such scenarios.
Bibliography:Application Number: US202117163511