Liquid receiver which acts as a pressure relief valve for a nuclear reactor

摘要

A liquid receiver which acts as a pressure relief valve for radioactive vapor or gases from a nuclear reactor comprises a container 4 holding liquid 3 and nozzles 13 which discharge vaporous or gaseous coolant from an outlet 2 from the reactor into the liquid 3. So that the liquid 3 does not lose its barrier capability during a temporary rise of pressure or at low outflow rates of the coolant from the outlet but can be expelled independently of the nature and temperature of the coolant, the nozzles 13 are mounted on a nozzle ring 11 which has a vertical axis and all the nozzles are directed tangentially in the same direction to generate a cyclone effect in the container 4. This causes the liquid 3 to have its surface lowered from the static level 5 to the rotational surface 15. This reduces the length of the path of the escaping gas or vapor through the liquid 3.