Methods for the operation of nuclear power generating stations

Claim 1

IN THE METHOD OF OPERATING A POWER GENERATING SYSTEM OF THE TYPE COMPRISING A STEAM GENERATOR INCLUDING A NUCLEAR REACTOR HAVING A PREDETERMINED NORMAL OUTPUT; A SUPERHEATER FIRED BY FOSSIL FUEL AND CONNECTED TO RECEIVE STEAM FROM SAID GENERATOR, SAID SUPERHEATER COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SERIALLY CONNECTED SECTIONS; AND A LOAD CONNECTED TO RECEIVE AND UTILIZE SUPERHEATED STEAM FROM SAID SUPERHEATER AT PREDETERMINED FULL LOAD RATE, SAID SUPERHEATER, WHEN OPERATING UNDER NORMAL LOAD CONDITION, ADEQUATELY SUPERHEATING THE FULL NORMAL OUTPUT OF SAID GENERATOR; THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: INITIALLY OPERATING SAID GNERATOR TO DELIVER A STEAM OUTPUT LESS THAN SAID NORMAL OUTPUT AND INSUFFICIENT TO SUPPLY SAID LOAD AT SAID FULL LOAD RATE, THE FULL NORMAL OUTPUT OF SAID GENERATOR BEING SUFFICIENT THEREFOR; INJECTING WATER INTO SAOD SUPERHEATER AT A JUNCTION BETWEEN TWO OF SAID SECTIONS; INITIALLY OPERATNG SAID SUPERHEATER UNDER OVERLOAD CONDITIONS TO VAPORIZE SAID INJECTED WATER IN ADDITION TO SUPERHEATING THE STEAM RECEIVED BY SAID LOAD; SUBSEQUENTLY INCREASING THE OUTPUT OF SAID GENERATOR; THEREUPON REDUCING SAID WATER INJECTING STEP; AND THEREUPON OPERATING SAUD SUPERHEATER UNDER DECREASED LOAD CONDITIONS, SAID STEP OF INCREASING THE OUTPUT OF SAID GENERATOR BEING PERFORMED BY TEH SUBSTITUTION OF CORES IN SAID NECLEAR REACTOR, THE REPLACEMENT CORES HAVING AN INCREASED OUTPUT WITH RESPECT TO THE CORES USED IN INITIALLY OPERATING SAID GENERATOR.