Development of Jet Pumps for Boiling Water Reactor Recirculation Systems

The efficiency of jet pumps used in Boiling Water Reactors has been significantly improved through extensive development efforts. These jet pumps are used inside the reactor pressure vessel as part of the reactor recirculation system to circulate subcooled water at about 530 deg F. The development of the first-generation and improved, second-generation jet pumps is surveyed, and the economic advantages of using them in a reactor are discussed. The development, geometry, and performance of these two jet pumps are described, their performance is compared, and the significant increase in efficiency obtained, resulting in the highest value reported in literature, is illustrated.