Method for filling water into a main circuit of a nuclear reactor, and connection device for implementing said method

摘要

The method for filling water into and changing the air of a main circuit of a water-cooled nuclear reactor includes a step of placing a connection and fluid isolation device which is connected to a hot leg of each cooling loop of the main circuit so as to substantially insulate, from inside the vessel, the assembly of hot legs. The method also includes a step of injecting water through an injection circuit on at least one hot leg until each cooling loop is filled with water having changed the air from a steam generator and until the water level in the vessel reaches above the side openings of the vessel that correspond to the loops, after which the connecting device is taken out of the vessel. The connecting device is capable of using telescopic connection elements.

主权项

1. A method for filling with water and emptying air from a primary circuit of a water-cooled nuclear reactor, following a shutdown of the reactor, the primary circuit comprising a vessel configured to be filled with water and to receive nuclear fuel, and additionally comprising at least one cooling loop configured to draw water from the vessel, transfer heat to a steam generator, and return the cooled water to the vessel each steam generator being connected to a first side opening in the vessel by a first fluid circuit for outflowing water and to a second side opening in the vessel by a second fluid circuit for inflowing water, a pair of the first and second side openings being associated with each cooling loop,
wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) adjusting the water level in the vessel to a first level, at which each cooling loop is vented by at least one of the first and second associated side openings; b) placing in the vessel a connection and fluid isolation device configured to connect to one of the first and second fluid circuits of each cooling loop in order to substantially isolate said one of the first and second fluid circuits relative to the interior of the vessel; c) injecting water into at least one cooling loop in the one of the first and second fluid circuits of the at least one cooling loop to which the connection and fluid isolation device is connected, at a flow rate intended to fill said cooling loop with water while expelling the air from the steam generator; d) stopping said water injection when the water flowing into the vessel from each cooling loop has raised the water level to a second level at which all of the first and second side openings of the vessel are completely immersed; and e) removing the connection and fluid isolation device.