US3807599A - Fuel element storage tank for nuclear power plants - Google Patents

Fuel element storage tank for nuclear power plants Download PDF

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Publication number
US3807599A
US3807599A US00165845A US16584571A US3807599A US 3807599 A US3807599 A US 3807599A US 00165845 A US00165845 A US 00165845A US 16584571 A US16584571 A US 16584571A US 3807599 A US3807599 A US 3807599A
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United States
Prior art keywords
water
storage tank
air
chamber
fuel element
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00165845A
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English (en)
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K Schettler
H Kuster
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Individual
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Individual
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C19/00—Arrangements for treating, for handling, or for facilitating the handling of, fuel or other materials which are used within the reactor, e.g. within its pressure vessel
    • G21C19/32—Apparatus for removing radioactive objects or materials from the reactor discharge area, e.g. to a storage place; Apparatus for handling radioactive objects or materials within a storage place or removing them therefrom
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a water-filled tank contain ing fuel elements for nuclear power plants and, more particularly, to fuel element storage tanks or flooded reactor chambers wherein, according to the power of the reactor, the water is more or less intensely heated. With increasing water temperature, the amount of water evaporating from the storage tank increases so that the likelihood of an undesired escape of highly radioactive aerosol must be taken into account.
  • fuel element storage tank for nuclear power plants comprising a walled structure enclosing a chamber for receiving water therein up to a given overflow level and having a crown at the top thereof defining an access opening to the chamber, water outlet means in the walled structure below the given water level, the water outlet means being connectible to the suction side of a circulatory pump, water overflow means provided at the water level in vicinity of the crown at least two opposite locations of the chamber, the water overflow means being also connectible to the suction side of the circulating pump and being continously operable for all conditions of the pump, and, also located in vicinity of the crown, first channel means for blowing air in flat sheets above the water level in given direction and second channel means for withdrawing spent air at the water level in direction opposite to the given direction so as to produce and maintain an air curtain over the water level of the water.
  • the water overflow means are located opposite one another along the entire breadth
  • the water outlet means includes suction conduits located far below the water level and having inlet openings communicating with the interior of the chamber means, the water overflow means being connected by connecting lines with the suction conduits.
  • the suction conduits are provided with means for retarding direct flow of the tank water, the flow retarding means being automatically variable and being in the form, for example, of pivotable flaps.
  • slit nozzles are provided for producing laminar currents of air in flat sheets over the water level from opposite sides of the storage tank.
  • baffles or guide plates which force the production of a laminar air current.
  • the air currents in the form of flat sheets opposing one another meet substantially in the center of the storage tank above the water level whereat the suction action applied to the air becomes perceptible.
  • openings defined by baffles or guide plates are provided for sucking the air into the second channel means while markedly avoiding the formation of turbulence phenomena, and the air being sucked through the baffles travels substantially parallel to the overlying sheets of air being blown into the tank and in opposite direction thereto.
  • all of the devices serving to limit or prevent the escape of radioactive aerosol can be disposed in vicinity of the crown of the storage tank in a chamber or niche provided for the water overflow means or waterfall and simultaneously serving for containing the first channel means or air supply channels and the second channel means or air discharge channels.
  • the surface of the water remains calm without any wave motion so that a clear optical view of the fuel elements is continously afforded from above the storage tank.
  • FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the fuel element storage tank for nuclear power stations constructed in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of FIG. 1.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 the upper part of a fuel element storage tank having a wall or walls 1 and filled with water 2.
  • a niche or recess 8 is provided in the wall 1 in the vicinity of the tank crown 3 and is of such size as to provide adequate space therein for accommodating accessory equipment which, in accordance with the objective of the invention, prevents the escape of radioactive aerosols from the surface 5 of the water 2.
  • a continuous circulation of all the water 2 is conventionally employed for which purpose conduits connected to the aspirating or suction side ofa nonillustrated circulating pump are provided.
  • conduits connected to the aspirating or suction side ofa nonillustrated circulating pump are provided.
  • waterfalls 12 of the weir overflow type are provided connecting conduits 13 leading therefrom to the suction conduits 10.
  • Part of the water in the storage tank thus runs as the respective waterfall 12 along a path through the conduit 13 to the suction line 10, while another part of the water is sucked into the respective line 10 through the inlet opening 6.
  • suitable flow retarding devices are provided within the suction line 10 in the vicinity of the inlet opening 6.
  • the flow retarding devices are in the form of movable flaps 14 which are of such dimensions with respect to the specific gravity thereof that they thereby exert a controlling function and continually assure an adequate draw of water through the suction conduit 10 to the nonillustrated circulating pump without adversely effecting the waterflow 12 thereby.
  • the water level 7 in the lower region of the niche 4 is always several centimeter lower than the respective level 5 of the water in the storage tank chamber proper.
  • a different controlling flow retarding device other than the flap 14 can be provided. If disturbances occur, such as irregularities at the water level regulating device or, for example, when a pump is turned on and off due to unstable operation, assurance of a reliable water supply to the circulating pump at the suction side thereof is alway provided thereby.
  • the suction and the water overflow take place at opposite sides of the storage tank, i.e., at both longitudinal sides. in the case of a rectangular storage tank, and if possible along the entire length thereof.
  • a waterfall can be produced additionally at both narrow sides of the rectangular storage tank.
  • the waterfall can be provided around the entire inner periphery thereof.
  • the discharge of surface water on at least opposite sides of the storage tank is advantageous inasmuch as a rising or buoyant flow of the water in the central region thereof within the storage tank takes place due to the heat development caused by the fuel elements, so that with a circulation of the water within the storage tank, one must expect that a rise or upward flow will occur in the center of the water and a downwardly directed flow at the outer wall or walls 1 of the storage tank.
  • the water thereby flows, at the surface 5 thereof, from the center outwardly to the edge or edges of the storage tank chamber so that the suction through the overflow of the water surface 5 proceeds in the same flow direction.
  • the water surface 5 thereby is maintained without any wave motion for all flow processes so that a clear optical view from above of the fuel elements in the storage tank is continually provided.
  • means are also provided for producing a curtain of air above the water surface 5 by blowing air in laminar flow flatly over the water surface from at least two opposing sides of the storage tank.
  • the air is supplied through conduits 8 into an upper region of the niche 4 where a respective air chamber 9 with suitable outlet nozzles or baffles (guide plates) 15 are provided in order to ensure a laminar flow of air therefrom.
  • the initially tightly bunched together air current traveling in direction of the arrows 11 fans out only above the center of the storage tank in the region 17.
  • the air is withdrawn from above the water level 5 through baffles 16, located laterally along the same length as the nozzles or baffles l5, and is exhausted through the air discharge channel 22 and the air discharge conduits 20. Due to the blocking or retarding action of the nozzles or baffles 15 in the vicinity of the air supply chamber 9, as well as guides or other devices 21 at the spent air discharge chamber 22, the discharging spent air is mainly withdrawn only from the center region 17 in direction of the arrows 18.
  • Fuel element storage tank for nuclear power plants comprising a walled structure enclosing a tank chamber for receiving water therein up to a given overlfow level and having a crown at the top thereof defining an access opening to said tank chamber, water outlet means in said walled structure below said given water level, said water outlet means being connectible to the suction side of a circulating pump, water overflow means provided at said water level in vicinity of said crown at at least two opposite locations of said tank chamber, said water overflow means being also connectible to the suction side of the circulating pump and being continuously operable for all conditions of the pump, and, also located in vicinity of said crown, first channel means for blowing air in flat sheets above the water level in given direction and second channel means for withdrawing spent air at the water level in direction opposite to said given direction so as to produce and maintain an air curtain over the level of the water.
  • Fuel element storage tank according to claim 1 wherein said water outlet means includes suction conduits spaced downwardly from the water level and having inlet openings communicating with the interior of said tank chamber, said water overflow means being connected by connecting conduits to said suction conduits.
  • Fuel element storage tank according to claim 2, wherein said suction conduits are provided with means for retarding direct flow of the water in said tank chamber.
  • Fuel element storage tank according to claim 4 wherein said flow retarding means are in the form of pivotable flaps.
  • Fuel element storage tank according to claim 1 wherein niches are formed in said walled structure in vicinity of said crown thereof, said niches having means for receiving water therein from said water overflow means and including, respectively, a fresh air chamber for receiving therein the air being blown into said tank chamber and a spent air chamber for receiving therein the spent air being withdrawn from said tank chamber.
  • Fuel element storage tank according to claim 6 wherein said fresh air chamber is provided with outlet nozzles for producing an air flow directed in flat sheets above the level of the water in said tank chamber.
  • Fuel element storage tank according to claim 6 wherein said fresh air chamber is provided with baffled openings for producing an air flow directed in flat sheets above the level of the water in said tank chamber.
  • Fuel element storage tank wherein said spent air chamber is provided with spent air inlet openings, and guide means for guiding the spent air through said spent air inlet openings while preventing the fresh air being blow into said tank chamber from being directly withdrawn through said spent air inlet openings.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Structure Of Emergency Protection For Nuclear Reactors (AREA)
  • Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
US00165845A 1970-07-09 1971-07-08 Fuel element storage tank for nuclear power plants Expired - Lifetime US3807599A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19702034087 DE2034087A1 (de) 1970-07-09 1970-07-09 Brennelement-Lagerbecken für Kernkraftwerke

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3807599A true US3807599A (en) 1974-04-30

Family

ID=5776279

Family Applications (1)

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US00165845A Expired - Lifetime US3807599A (en) 1970-07-09 1971-07-08 Fuel element storage tank for nuclear power plants

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3807599A (de)
AT (1) AT314674B (de)
CH (1) CH526838A (de)
DE (1) DE2034087A1 (de)
ES (1) ES393054A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1351982A (de)
SE (1) SE367505B (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4511500A (en) * 1979-07-02 1985-04-16 Societe Generale Pour Les Techniques Nouvelles, S.G.N. Method and devices for producing exchanges in reservoirs used for storing radioactive materials
US4663116A (en) * 1982-09-07 1987-05-05 Hitachi, Ltd. Nuclear reactor
US6231682B1 (en) * 1998-10-09 2001-05-15 Keld Gabelgaard Method for washing reactor pressure vessel rod elements
US20050105673A1 (en) * 2001-06-29 2005-05-19 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Closed vessel for radioactive substance, seal-welding method for closed vessel, and exhaust system used for seal-welding method
US20140224705A1 (en) * 2013-02-13 2014-08-14 Babcock & Wilcox Mpower, Inc. Shipping Container For Unirradiated Nuclear Fuel Assemblies

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2929200C2 (de) * 1979-07-19 1982-12-23 Brown Boveri Reaktor GmbH, 6800 Mannheim Wassergefülltes Brennelementlagerbecken für kerntechnische Anlagen

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4511500A (en) * 1979-07-02 1985-04-16 Societe Generale Pour Les Techniques Nouvelles, S.G.N. Method and devices for producing exchanges in reservoirs used for storing radioactive materials
US4663116A (en) * 1982-09-07 1987-05-05 Hitachi, Ltd. Nuclear reactor
US6231682B1 (en) * 1998-10-09 2001-05-15 Keld Gabelgaard Method for washing reactor pressure vessel rod elements
US20050105673A1 (en) * 2001-06-29 2005-05-19 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Closed vessel for radioactive substance, seal-welding method for closed vessel, and exhaust system used for seal-welding method
US6990166B2 (en) * 2001-06-29 2006-01-24 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Closed vessel for radioactive substance, seal-welding method for closed vessel, and exhaust system used for seal-welding method
US20140224705A1 (en) * 2013-02-13 2014-08-14 Babcock & Wilcox Mpower, Inc. Shipping Container For Unirradiated Nuclear Fuel Assemblies
US9831006B2 (en) * 2013-02-13 2017-11-28 Bwxt Mpower, Inc. Shipping container for unirradiated nuclear fuel assemblies
US10916355B2 (en) 2013-02-13 2021-02-09 Bwxt Mpower, Inc. Shipping container for unirradiated nuclear fuel assemblies

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE367505B (de) 1974-05-27
ES393054A1 (es) 1975-04-16
GB1351982A (en) 1974-05-15
DE2034087A1 (de) 1972-01-13
AT314674B (de) 1974-04-25
CH526838A (de) 1972-08-15

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