The reactor vessel, which houses the core, is the central component of the reactor coolant system (RCS).
The vessel has a cylindrical shell with a spherical bottom head and a ring flange at the top. A closure head is bolted to this flange.
Typically, the vessel is constructed of low alloy steel with an internal stainless steel cladding to protect the vessel from corrosion. The vessel with closure head is almost 41 ft (12.5 m) tall and has an inside diameter of 171 in. (4343 mm). The minimum thicknesses of the shell wall and inside cladding are 8.4 and 0.125 in. (213 and 3.18 mm), respectively. Reflective metal (mirror) insulation is installed on the exterior surfaces of the reactor vessel.
Closure Heads
The closure head is an integral part of the reactor vessel pressure boundary. The head provides access for the replacement of spent fuel, and Alloy 600 penetration nozzles for control rod drive mechanisms and instrumentation.
The closure head is typically made of low alloy steel and clad with stainless steel like the rest of the reactor vessel. Recently, many reactor closure heads in existing PWR systems have experienced corrosion damage and are being replaced.
B&W has signed a number of contracts for reactor vessel closure head replacement.
For more information, please contact us.
