PRESSURIZED WATER REACTOR WITH REACTOR COLLANT PUMPS COMPRISING TURBO PUMPS DRIVEN BY EXTERNAL PUMPS

摘要

A pressurized water reactor (PWR) includes a pressure vessel containing a nuclear core comprising a fissile material immersed in primary coolant water. A reactor coolant pump (RCP) is configured to pump primary coolant water in the pressure vessel. The RCP includes a hydraulically driven turbo pump disposed in the pressure vessel. The turbo pump includes an impeller performing pumping of primary coolant water in the pressure vessel, and a hydraulically driven turbine mechanically coupled with the impeller to drive the impeller. The RCP may further include a hydraulic pump configured pump primary coolant water to generate hydraulic working fluid that drives the hydraulically driven turbine. The hydraulic pump may be a canned pump having a casing defining a portion of the pressure boundary of the pressure vessel. The casing includes electrical feedthroughs delivering electrical power to the hydraulic pump.