Nuclear Engineering Program

An Introduction to Nuclear Power Reactors L. R. Foulke

Module 6.2 The Pressurized Water Reactor

Pressurized Water Reactors

Nuclear Engineering Program

Image source: See Note 1

Pressurized Water Reactors

HISTORY
Westinghouse Electric Company
Based on Nuclear Submarine Experience 60-MWe Shippingport (1957 - 1982) 175-MWe Yankee-Rowe (1961) Modular Design - 1 to 4 Steam-Generator Loops License: France, W. Germany, Japan, Spain

Babcock & Wilcox [B&W] Combustion Engineering [CE]

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Pressurized Water Reactors

CLOSED PRIMARY LOOP
Pressure 15.5 MPa [2250 psi] Temperature 315OC [600OF] Coolant Pumps Pressurizer Steam Generator

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PWR Pressure Vessel

Core Vessel
Materials
Low-Alloy Carbon Steel 3-mm-Thick Stainless Steel Clad

Dimensions
13-m High (~ 40 ft) 6.2-m Inner Diameter (~20 ft) 23-cm Thick (~9 in)
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PWR (W) Pressure Vessel

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 Steam Generator
Secondary Loop Characteristics

Pressurized Water Reactor

Pressure 7.2 MPa [1000 psi] Temperature 290C [550F] Efficiency 34%
= electrical energy produced thermal energy (heat ) produced

Minimal Fission Products in Turbine Plant

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PWR U-Tube Steam Generator

Image Source: See Note 2

PWR Pressurizer
Steam-Water Interface Heater Increases Pressure Spray Decreases Pressure Relief Valves - Pilot-Operated / Code Safeties Drain Tank
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PWR (W) Pressurizer

Image Source: See Note 2

PWR (W) 4-Loop Configuration

Pump
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The Core

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The Pressure Vessel

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The Control Rods

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The Primary Coolant Loop

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The Pressurizer

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The Pressurizer Relief Tank

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The Reactor Vessel Relief Valves

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The Reactor Containment

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The Condenser

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The Turbine

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Steam Relief Valves

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The Generator

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The Turbine Building

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Condenser Cooling Water

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Emergency Core Cooling System

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Charging System

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Demineralizers

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Safety Injection System

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Auxiliary Building

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Auxiliary Building Vents

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Containment Spray

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Aux Feedwater

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Containment Sump

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Image Source Notes

1. Public domain: http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/basic-ref/students/animated-bwr.html 2. Reprinted with permission from Westinghouse. Source: The Westinghouse Pressurized Water Reactor Nuclear Power Plant (The Masche Book). 3. Reprinted with permission from the Union of Concerned Scientists USA. http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/n uclear_power/bwr-intro.pdf