Ansaldo S.p.a.

Luciano Cinotti

A pressurized-water nuclear reactor with inherent safety comprises a pressurized vessel filled with borated water within which is the body of the reactor. The latter includes an upper part and a lower part within which is the reactor core. The upper part includes a first tubular cavity, a second tubular cavity coaxial with and outside the first cavity and a plurality of helical tube bundles extending between respective pairs of connectors for the inlet and outlet of water circulating in the tube bundles.

Pressurized water nuclear reactor with inherent safety

An intrinsic-safety nuclear reactor of the pressurized water type, having:

Intrinsic-safety nuclear reactor of the pressurized water type

The invention refers to a solution for the reactor block of a sodium-cooled fast reactor, fitted with an inner cylindrical vessel. This forms the mechanical structure for hydraulic separation 7 between the primary sodium hot header 2 and the cold header 3. The hot header is located in the area above the core, and the cold header, having a larger volume and an annular shape, is located all around the hot header. According to the invention the primary pumps and intermediate exchangers 8 are immersed in the cold header 3. The intermediate heat exchangers 8 are of the straight tube bundle type, with primary sodium outside the tubes, and they are hydraulically connected to the hot header by a transverse duct 13, solid with the inner cylindrical vessel 7, and mechanically sealed where it interfaces with the heat exchanger. This mechanical sealing system is made as close against the heat exchanger, as possible, so that the heat exchanger is removable.

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Genoa, Italy

Luciano Cinotti