PWR Pressure Drop: Plenum to Plenum Pressure Drop

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the pressure drop in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR), specifically focusing on the plenum to plenum pressure drop. Participants explore various conditions and configurations, including core dimensions and additional components like steam generator tubes and reactor coolant piping.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant recalls a plenum to plenum pressure drop of about 40 psi.
  • Another participant suggests a pressure drop of about 25-27 psid at hot conditions across a conventional 12 ft (3.66 m) core.
  • A later reply questions whether including steam generator tubes and other reactor coolant piping would result in a total pressure drop of about 40 psi.
  • One participant clarifies that the 40 psi figure may refer to the pressure drop around the primary loop or across the reactor coolant pump, indicating that the pressure drop across the core alone is lower.
  • There is mention of sizing reactor coolant pumps for about 100,000 gpm at 40 psi, but it is unclear how this relates to the core pressure drop specifically.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the specific values of the pressure drop, with some suggesting 40 psi and others proposing 25-27 psid. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact figures and conditions affecting the pressure drop.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific conditions (hot conditions, core dimensions) and components (steam generator tubes, reactor coolant piping) that may influence the pressure drop, but these factors are not fully detailed or quantified in the discussion.

matt222
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For pressure drop of PWR, what is the plenum to plenum pressure drop?
 
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It has been years since I worked on these things, but I recall it was about 40 psi.
 
matt222 said:
For pressure drop of PWR, what is the plenum to plenum pressure drop?
About 25-27 psid at hot conditions across a conventional 12 ft (3.66 m) core.
 
Astronuc said:
About 25-27 psid at hot conditions across a conventional 12 ft (3.66 m) core.
Astronuc, if you include the steam generator tubes and other reactor coolant piping, does it add up to about 40 psi? I thought I remember the reference Westinghouse 3400 MWt PWR RCPs being sized for about 100,000 gpm @ 40 psi.
 
edgepflow said:
Astronuc, if you include the steam generator tubes and other reactor coolant piping, does it add up to about 40 psi? I thought I remember the reference Westinghouse 3400 MWt PWR RCPs being sized for about 100,000 gpm @ 40 psi.
I was referring to just the pressure drop across the core. The pressure drop around the primary loop or across the reactor coolant pump, is of course greater, and 40 psid seems about right. I have the actual numbers somewhere.
 

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