ALTERNATE CIRCULATOR DESIGN CONCEPT NO. 1 FOR A 300 MW(e) GCFR DEMONSTRATION PLANT - TWO STAGE AXIAL FLOW HELIUM CIRCULATOR AND TWO STAGE STEAM TURBINE DRIVE

摘要

This report is being issued by the GCFR Primary Systems Components Branch to document the conceptual design and analysis of an alternate main helium circulator for a 300 MW(e) GCFR demonstration plant. A special feature of the design is that it is based on HTGR circulator technology. Particular emphasis was placed upon avoiding deviation from this established technology except in areas where specific require¬ments made such variations advisable. Two circulator stages and two turbine stages are used in this alternate design. An integrated circulator and turbine on a single shaft as well as a separate circulator unit with an external turbine drive unit were investigated. Safety requirements and accident operating conditions were investigated and a special thrust balancing system was developed to satisfy thrust load requirements for all normal and upset operating conditions. This report describes an axial flow circulator and a series flow steam turbine drive that will provide the helium flow requirements and also be compatible with the specified steam flow and temperature requirements as well as providing means for simplifying circulator test facility and hot flow reactor test programs.