Device incorporating micro-porous membrane for venting gases from seal assembly of a reactor coolant pump

This paper discusses use in a pump having a stationary seal housing with pressurized liquid and gas therein, a rotable member disposed in the housing and operable for causing rotation of the liquid within the housing, and a seal assembly disposed within the housing between the housing and rotable member. It comprises a body having spaced inner and outer sides and being mountable to the seal housing so as to dispose inner and outer sides of the body respectively adjacent to, and in communication with, the interior and exterior of the seal housing; means defined through the body for facilitating flow of the liquid and gas from the interior to exterior of the seal housing; and means mounted on the body for permitting flow of gas from the interior to the exterior of the housing through the flow facilitating means while blocking flow of liquid therethrough from the interior to the exterior of the housing