Forced-circulation reactor with enhanced flow in natural circulation operation.

摘要

A forced-circulation boiling-water reactor (100) includes bypass check valves (202) between a downcomer (138) and a core inlet plenum (140). When the recirculation pumps (146) are operating at full capacity, there is a maximum pressure differential from the downcomer (138) to the core inlet plenum (140). This pressure differential keeps the valves (202) closed so that recirculating fluid is constrained to flow through the pumps (146). When the pumps (146) are not operating, a driving water head in the downcomer (138) forces the valves (202) open, augmenting the flow cross section between the downcomer (138) and the core inlet plenum (140), enhancing natural circulation. The enhanced natural circulation provides greater core stability during pump shutdown. The valves (202) are selected or adjusted so that they open when the pressure differential falls through a predetermined range to augment diminished pumping capacity with a higher natural circulation flow rate.