The invention relates to an emergency core cooling system for either a pool or loop-type liquid metal fast breeder reactor (LMFBR).
The fuel core of a nuclear reactor continues to produce heat (called decay heat) for some time following shutdown. Removal of decay heat must be accomplished any time a nuclear reactor is shut down after operation in order to prevent overheating the fuel core. The amount of decay heat removal required depends on several factors. These include: the size, composition and quantity of fuel in the core, the length of time and power level during reactor operation and the particular design of the reactor. All commercial power reactors have primary and back-up systems for the purpose of removing the decay heat. In emergency situations such as a Loss of Cooling Accident (LOCA), loss of electrical power or control system malfunction, the decay heat removal system (DHRS) must continue to function.
There is a desire that the decay heat removal system must be passive (not requiring intelligent initiation) and highly reliable. Consequently, it is desired to provide an improved decay heat removal system.