NUCLEAR POWER PLANT Russian patent published in 1996 - IPC

FIELD: space power plants built around thermionic conversion reactor. SUBSTANCE: nuclear power plant has thermionic conversion reactor incorporating core, switching chamber whose body is part of reactor vessel, and emergency shutdown rod provided with casing whose section located beyond reactor core is used for mounting within it neutron-absorbing elements of this rod upon bringing it out of core; it also has reactor-servicing coolant pumping system and regenerative cesium system secured on structural members of reactor switching chamber and incorporating cesium vapor generator with evaporation and condensation regions, fastening brackets, impurities absorber for chemically active gases, and components of cesium feeding and returning channel, such as valves and pipings. Switching chamber body has ducts on cesium feeding channel side for coolant pumping system; components of this channel are placed near switching chamber body to maintain their working temperature due to heat transfer between them and chamber body; at least one of components of this channel is fastened on switching chamber body through structural member made of high-heat-conductivity material, such as copper; bracket for fixing cesium vapor generator are made of low-heat-conductivity material, such as titanium, and have heat-insulating inserts incorporated in system for securing cesium vapor generator on reactor vessel; condensation region is located in cesium system part most remote from conversion reactor vessel; impurities absorber installed in channel between reactor and condensation region is secured on wall of coolant pumping system duct. Emergency shutdown rod casing is mounted on reactor vessel in position in which its section beyond core contacts cesium vapor generator on evaporation region side. EFFECT: reduced power requirement for cesium system functioning, reduced its preparation period due to heating evaporation region and cesium channel components by heat transferred from coolant pumping system and neutron-absorbing elements. 2 dwg