Nuclear Charging Pump

A charge pump is used to boost the pressure of a fluid before it enters the inlet of the main pump, providing enough pressure to overcome the required net positive suction head (NPSH) and prevent cavitation in larger pumping equipment. In a nuclear power plant, particularly in pressurized water reactors (PWRs), a charge pump is a critical component of the reactor’s coolant system, maintaining the pressure and flow of the reactor coolant to ensure the reactor core remains adequately cooled.