US 12,437,890 B2
Systems and methods for reducing noncondensable gas buildup in coolant systems
Necdet Kurul, Wilmington, NC (US); Charles L. Heck, Wilmington, NC (US); and David H. Hinds, Wilmington, NC (US)
Assigned to GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC, Wilmington, NC (US)
Filed by GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC, Wilmington, NC (US)
Filed on Jun. 2, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/831,058.
Prior Publication US 2023/0395271 A1, Dec. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. G21C 19/317 (2006.01); G21C 15/243 (2006.01); G21C 9/06 (2006.01); G21C 15/20 (2006.01); G21C 19/307 (2006.01)
CPC G21C 19/317 (2013.01) [G21C 15/243 (2013.01); G21C 9/06 (2013.01); G21C 15/20 (2013.01); G21C 19/307 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for removing noncondensable gasses from coolant, the system comprising:
a condenser having an upper volume configured to receive a coolant having at least a part condensable vapor, a lower volume configured to return the coolant, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes connecting the upper and lower volumes so as to permit the coolant to flow in the tubes from the upper volume to the lower volume while condensing the vapor in the coolant; and
a recombiner connected between the upper volume and the lower volume, wherein the recombiner defines a flow path outside of the condenser, wherein the flow path is out of the lower volume, through the recombiner, and into the upper volume, and wherein the recombiner includes a catalytic material in the flow path configured to remove noncondensable gasses flowing into the recombiner from the lower volume.