NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION SYSTEM

摘要

A nuclear power generation system and related power cycle are disclosed, in one embodiment, the system includes primary coolant circulation through a hydraulically interconnected reactor containing nuclear fuel and a steam generating vessel collectively defining a steam supply system. Liquid secondary coolant for the power cycle flows through the steam generating vessel and is converted to steam by the primary coolant to drive a low pressure turbine of a turbine-generator set. Steam exiting the turbine is condensed and heated prior to return to the steam supply system, thereby completing a secondary coolant flow loop. In one embodiment, a majority of the secondary coolant heating occurs within the steam generating vessel via heat exchange with the primary coolant rather than externally in the secondary coolant flow loop. This creates a temperature differential between the primary and secondary coolant sufficient to create natural thermally induced convective circulation of the primary coolant

主权项

1. A nuclear power generation system including:
a steam generator including a steam generating vessel fluidly coupled to a reactor vessel having an internal cavity; a reactor core comprising nuclear fuel disposed within the internal cavity and operable to heat a primary coolant; a primary coolant flow loop formed between the reactor vessel and the steam generating vessel, the primary coolant flow loop being configured and operable to circulate primary coolant through the reactor vessel and steam generating vessel via thermally induced gravity flow; and a secondary coolant flow loop formed between the steam generating vessel and a low pressure turbine, the secondary coolant flow loop being configured and operable to circulate secondary coolant through the steam generating vessel in which the primary coolant heats and converts the secondary coolant from liquid to steam, the steam flowing through the secondary coolant flow loop to the low pressure steam turbine; wherein a temperature differential between the primary coolant leaving the steam generating vessel and secondary coolant entering the steam generating vessel is sufficient to induce natural thermally driven gravity circulation of the primary coolant through the primary coolant flow loop.