What is the overall purpose of residual heat removal pumps in a plant?

What is the overall purpose of residual heat removal pumps in a plant?

• A. Remove Residual Heat
• B. Increase Reactor Power
• C. Cool the Turbine
• D. Vent Containment

Answer: (A)

Residual heat removal pumps are tasked with removing the heat that remains in the reactor after shutdown. Even when the reactor isn’t producing power, radioactive decay in the fuel continues to generate heat, and this decay heat must be carried away to prevent overheating. The pumps circulate coolant through the core and into a cooling path or heat exchangers, transferring that heat to a secondary system and keeping temperatures within safe limits. This function specifically addresses decay heat management, not increasing power, cooling the turbine directly, or venting the containment.

Residual heat removal pumps are tasked with removing the heat that remains in the reactor after shutdown. Even when the reactor isn’t producing power, radioactive decay in the fuel continues to generate heat, and this decay heat must be carried away to prevent overheating. The pumps circulate coolant through the core and into a cooling path or heat exchangers, transferring that heat to a secondary system and keeping temperatures within safe limits. This function specifically addresses decay heat management, not increasing power, cooling the turbine directly, or venting the containment.