Development of In-vessel Type Control Rod Drive Mechanism for Marine Reactor

Abstract

A highly reliable control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) installed inside the reactor vessel has developed for use of an advanced marine reactor. This CRDM contributes to compactness and simplicity of the reactor system, and it can eliminate the possibility of a rod ejection accident. The CRDM works in the high temperature and high pressure water—310°C and 12 MPa, the same atmosphere as the primary loop. Driving force is produced by a synchronous motor with the rotor of a permanent magnet, which has been developed. An innovative latch mechanism using separable ball nuts can latch the driving shaft connecting the control rod and de-latch it for scram. The rod position detector using a magnetostrictive wire type sensor on the principle of Wiedeman effect has been developed, accuracy of which is verified to have a detecting error within 1.2 mm. Ball bearings for thrust and radial supports in rotation have been developed to be capable of working under the high temperature water for a long period. Under condition of high temperature water, the performance tests on latching, de-latching, holding and vertical movement, and durability test were conducted to verify the design conditions. This CRDM can be applied to not only the marine reactor, but also to light water reactors, PWR and BWR.