Abstract: A pressurized water reactor (PWR) includes a pressure vessel containing a nuclear core comprising a fissile material immersed in primary coolant water. A reactor coolant pump (RCP) is configured to pump primary coolant water in the pressure vessel. The RCP includes a hydraulically driven turbo pump disposed in the pressure vessel. The turbo pump includes an impeller performing pumping of primary coolant water in the pressure vessel, and a hydraulically driven turbine mechanically coupled with the impeller to drive the impeller. The RCP may further include a hydraulic pump configured pump primary coolant water to generate hydraulic working fluid that drives the hydraulically driven turbine. The hydraulic pump may be a canned pump having a casing defining a portion of the pressure boundary of the pressure vessel. The casing includes electrical feedthroughs delivering electrical power to the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: An integral pressurized water reactor (PWR) includes a cylindrical pressure vessel, a cylindrical central riser disposed coaxially inside the cylindrical pressure vessel wherein a downcomer annulus is defined between the cylindrical central riser and the cylindrical pressure vessel, a nuclear core comprising a fissile material, and a steam generator disposed in the downcomer annulus. A reactor coolant pump (RCP) includes a jet pump disposed in the downcomer annulus above or below the steam generator, and a hydraulic pump configured to pump primary coolant into a nozzle of the jet pump. The hydraulic pump includes an electric motor mounted externally on the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A reactor coolant pump (RCP) generates primary coolant flow in a nuclear reactor. The RCP includes a flow amplification device, such as a turbo pump, disposed in the pressure vessel of the nuclear reactor, and an electrically driven pump (e.g. a centrifugal pump). The inlet of the electrically driven pump receives primary coolant water from the pressure vessel and the outlet discharges into the driving inlet of the flow amplification device (e.g. into the turbine of a turbo pump) such that the centrifugal pump drives the flow amplification device to pump primary coolant water. A divider is disposed in the pressure vessel and separates the pumping inlet of the flow amplification device from the pumping outlet of the flow amplification device. The electrically driven pump may include hydraulic drive shaft bearings and starting mechanical drive shaft bearings that disengage at operating speed due to axial shift of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a nuclear core comprising a fissile material, and a pressure vessel containing the nuclear core immersed in primary coolant water. Turbo pumps disposed in the pressure vessel provide active circulation of primary coolant water in the pressure vessel. Each turbo pump includes a turbine driving an impeller. A manifold plenum chamber is disposed in the pressure vessel, and is in fluid communication with inlets of the turbines of the turbo pumps. An electrically driven pump operatively connected with the manifold plenum chamber to pressurize the manifold plenum chamber with primary coolant water. The turbo pumps may be disposed in openings passing through the manifold plenum chamber. The pressure vessel may be vertically oriented and cylindrical, with a cylindrical riser oriented coaxially inside, and the manifold plenum chamber may be annular and disposed in a downcomer annulus defined between the cylindrical riser and the cylindrical pressure vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for using a water coil air heater with a single bank economizer. A boiler economizer arrangement includes an economizer bank which has separate hot pass bank and cold pass bank economizer portions in a parallel arrangement, each facing the same flow of hot flue gas. Feedwater enters the cold pass bank economizer where it is heated by the hot flue gas, and then flows to a water coil air heater away from the hot flue gas. The feedwater dissipates heat energy in the water coil air heater which may be used to heat air bound for combustion. The feedwater continues into the hot pass bank economizer portion of the economizer arrangement where it absorbs additional heat from the flue gas. The heated feedwater flows out of the economizer arrangement and may be subject to additional heating by a boiler or other heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of emission control equipment for boilers, heaters, kilns, or other flue gas-, or combustion gas-, generating devices (e.g., those located at power plants, processing plants, etc.) and, in particular to a new and useful method and apparatus for reducing or preventing the poisoning and/or contamination of an SCR catalyst. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for increasing the service life and/or catalytic activity of an SCR catalyst while simultaneously controlling various emissions. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling, mitigating and/or reducing the amount of selenium contained in and/or emitted by one or more pieces of emission control equipment for boilers, heaters, kilns, or other flue gas-, or combustion gas-, generating devices (e.g., those located at power plants, processing plants, etc.).

Abstract: A solar receiver has an arrangement of heat transfer surfaces and a heat transfer fluid phase separator, such as a vertical steam/water separator, fluidly interconnected thereto. The receiver includes a plurality of heat transfer fluid filled components, and at least one alternate heat source. When various temperature measurements indicate freezing or solidification of the fluid is possible, the alternate heat source is activated to maintain a temperature of the fluid greater than the freezing/solidification point of the fluid. The application of the alternate heat source further induces natural circulation of the fluid within the components, further providing freeze/solidification protection to the receiver. A controller may be configured to receive sensed temperatures of the fluid, components, ambient air, etc., and use these temperatures relative to a threshold temperature to activate, vary output, and deactivate one or more alternate heat sources.

Abstract: A dual-exposure heat absorption panel is disclosed, which can be used in a solar receiver design. Generally, the heat absorption panel includes a tube panel through which a heat transfer fluid is flowed to absorb solar energy from heliostats that are focused on the tube panel. A structural support frame surrounds the tube panel. A stiffener structure runs across the exposed faces of the tube panel. The headers and other support structures on the periphery are protected by use of a heat shield. Different tube couplings are possible with this structure, as well as different stiffening structures at the headers. The heat shield can be shaped to create an open space, permitting focusing of sunlight on the edge tubes as well. A curtain can be used as an additional heat shield in certain scenarios.

Abstract: A dual-exposure heat absorption panel is disclosed, which can be used in a solar receiver design. Generally, the heat absorption panel includes a tube panel through which a heat transfer fluid is flowed to absorb solar energy from heliostats that are focused on the tube panel. A structural support frame surrounds the tube panel. A stiffener structure runs across the exposed faces of the tube panel. The headers and other support structures on the periphery are protected by use of a heat shield.

Abstract: A solar receiver includes a multi-sided central assembly with wing assemblies extending from corners thereof. The central assembly includes one-sided heat absorption panels, while the wing assemblies use two-sided heat absorption panels. Stiffener structures run across the exposed faces of the various heat absorption panels.