Title: Recuperative thermal recombining system for handling loss of coolant

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1. A method for thermally recombining dissociated hydrogen and oxygen in a loss of coolant gaseous stream from a nuclear reactor containment which comprises:

a. passing the dissociated gaseous charge stream into admixture with a resulting high temperature water vapor containing combined gaseous stream obtained as hereinafter set forth,

b. subsequently passing the resulting higher temperature gaseous stream into a recombiner zone having a temperature therein sufficiently high to effectuate association with said dissociated gaseous charge stream wherein the stream is heated under non-flame conditions to effect the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen and providing a resulting water vapor containing combined gaseous stream,

c. subsequently splitting the resulting combined gaseous stream and recycling a regulated proportion thereof into admixture with the dissociated charge stream as aforesaid, and

d. effecting the regulation of the quantity of such recycle portion of the combined gaseous stream responsive to the sensing of the temperature level at said high temperature recombiner zone so that there is maintained an oxygen content therein below an explosive level.

2. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that the sensing of the temperature level at the recombiner zone provides for measurements ahead of and downstream from such zone whereby to produce a differential temperature measurement across said zone and, in turn, sense changes in oxygen level in the stream to said zone.

3. A heat recuperative method for thermally recombining dissociated hydrogen and oxygen in a loss of coolant gaseous stream from a nuclear reactor containment, which comprises:

a. passing the dissociated gaseous charge stream into an elongated pathway heat exchange zone and elevating the temperature of such stream by indirect heat exchange with a resulting high temperature water vapor containing combined gaseous stream obtained as hereinafter set forth,

b. subsequently passing the partially heated gaseous stream into a high temperature recombiner zone wherein the stream is heated under non-flame conditions to effect the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen and providing a resulting water vapor containing combined gaseous stream,

c. passing the latter in heat exchange with the inlet gaseous stream as aforesaid,

d. subsequently splitting the resulting combined gaseous stream and recycling a regulated proportion thereof into admixture with the dissociated charge stream as aforesaid, and

e. regulating the quantity of such recycle portion of the combined gaseous stream responsive to the sensing of the temperature level of the resulting combined gaseous stream from the recombiner zone so that there is maintained an oxygen content therein below an explosive level.

4. The method of claim 3 further characterized in that a quantity of the resulting combined gaseous stream is returned to the containment in an amount substantially equivalent to that being withdrawn therefrom and such returned portion is cooled down to a temperature of the order of 200.degree. F.

5. The method of claim 3 further characterized in that the dissociated gaseous stream being withdrawn from the containment and the recycle portion is passed through a compressor means providing a substantially uniform maximum flow quantity being introduced into the recombiner zone, whereby a steady state volume can be provided and the volume provided for return to the containment is substantially equivalent to that being withdrawn therefrom.

6. The method of claim 3 further characterized in that the heating under non-flame conditions is carried out to provide a reaction initiation temperature of about 1100.degree. F. and two after stages of cooling are provided for the resulting combined gaseous stream from heat exchange with the charge stream and from additional heat exchange for that portion returned to the containment such that the temperature is reduced to the order of 200.degree. F.
Other info:

Inventors: Bhan, Andrew Tej (Palatine, IL, US)

Application Number: 418697
Filing Date: 1973-11-23
Publication_date: 1976-02-10
Assignee: Universal Oil Products Company (Des Plaines, IL)
Primary Class(es): 423/580.1 376/300, 423/219, 423/248, 976/DIG271
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2943921	Jul, 1960	King	23/288.
3240554	Mar, 1966	Angerhofer	423/219.
3385286	May, 1968	Jones	423/580.
3630778	Dec, 1971	Kreidl et al.	136/179.
3658996	Apr, 1972	Frumerman	23/252.
3755075	Aug, 1973	Henrig	423/580.
3791923	Feb, 1974	Bhan	176/37.
3808323	Apr, 1974	Collins et al.	423/219.
3859053	Jan, 1975	Parnes	176/38.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Carter, Herbert T.
Assistant Examiner: Wheelock, Eugene T.
Attorney: Hoatson, Jr.; James R., Liggett; Philip T., Page, II; William H.