Gary Lee Sedlacek

US Patent:

20120307957, Dec 6, 2012

Filed:

Jun 2, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/151714

Inventors:

Gary L. Sedlacek - Jefferson Hills PA, US
Luke G. Mulhollem - Stahlstown PA, US
Michael A. Chvala - Zelienople PA, US
Justin D. Stirling - Mars PA, US

Assignee:

WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLC - Cranberry Township PA

International Classification:

G21C 19/42

US Classification:

376313

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a passive filtration system for a fuel handling area having a spent fuel pool in a nuclear reactor. The passive filtration system reduces a discharge into the atmosphere of particulates, such as radioactive particulates, generated in a spent fuel pool boiling event. The passive filtration system includes a discharge path, a vent mechanism positioned between the fuel handling area and the discharge path. The vent mechanism is structured to release a steam and air mixture from the fuel handling area to the discharge path. The steam and air mixture includes the particulates. The passive filtration system further includes an air filtration unit located in the discharge path and this unit has at least one passive filter. The steam and air mixture is forced through the at least one passive filter due to a differential pressure generated in the fuel handling area. The at least one passive filter traps particulates from the steam and air mixture to produce a filtered steam and air mixture that is released through a second vent mechanism into the atmosphere.

US Patent:

20200335233, Oct 22, 2020

Filed:

Mar 4, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/195878

Inventors:

- Cranberry TownshiP PA, US
Gary L. Sedlacek - Jefferson Hills PA, US

Assignee:

WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLC - Cranberry Township PA

International Classification:

G21C 15/06
G21C 15/243

Abstract:

A passive cooling system for cooling the in-containment refueling water storage tank and the spent fuel pool of nuclear power plants that can extend the number of days the plants can safely be maintained without operator intervention. The cooling system employs a thermosiphon in a closed loop cycle that circulates a refrigerant around the cooling loop between heat exchangers within the spent fuel and in-containment refueling water and the ambient atmosphere outside the containment, by natural circulation.