Les pompes primaires des réacteurs BWR

Primary BWR pumps

¹ Société ALSTHOM-ATLANTIQUE-RATEAU
² BERGERON S.A.

Abstract

The prototype of a new pump design for a 1 000 MW plant has been tested under actual operating conditions on an Electricité de France test loop, simulating steady and transient conditions with and without cavitation. Photograph 1 shows the recycling circuit layout in the reactor. Photographs 2 to 9 illustrate the design features of the motor-driven pump set, especially its three-bearing shaft assembly. The thrust bearing is at the upper end of the motor. All seals are hydrodynamic designs. The cooling circuit and heat shield are discussed. Operating characteristics, leading dimensions and materials of the pump and motor are described. Design and development work on the pump prior to the loop tests (Fig. 14) is illustrated by calculation and structural checking procedures (Figs. 10 to 13). Electricité de France assessed the test as satisfactory for the considered highly-sophisticated pump design.