STEAM-GENERATING NUCLEAR REACTOR UNIT USING LIQUID-METAL COOLANT Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: nuclear power engineering. SUBSTANCE: steam-generating nuclear reactor unit using liquid- metal coolant such as molten lead has double-walled pressurized vessel. Vessel cavity confined by inner wall holds free-level lead pool with blanket of inert gas such as argon. Core with lead outlet chamber is disposed below lead level. Reactor unit also has shutoff valves installed in lead natural circulation loop. Steam generator and area where lead flows in jets under pressure of pumps are arranged within gas blanket boundaries. At least one lead chamber is installed upstream of lead jet flow area. Some of chamber walls are perforated. Vessel cavity communicates via pipeline with outlet chamber. The latter communicates through pipe connections with mentioned shutoff valves. Gas spaces of lead jet flow area and tube spaces of steam generator are inserted in argon forced circulation loop. EFFECT: enhanced safety, simplified design, facilitated servicing of steam-generating nuclear reactor. 2 cl, 2 dwg