IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO NUCLEAR REACTOR INSTALLATIONS

Patent · Wed Mar 15 04:00:00 EST 1961

OSTI ID:4054812

Fawcett, S; Waine, P

A reactor containment scheme is outlined for gas-cooled reactors ih which the gas is circulated in a closed circuit from the cone to heat exchangers. In this scheme, the neactor pressure vessel, coolant ducts, and heat exchangers but not the fueling machine are contained within an inner housing which is sealed to withstand a pressure surge resulting from a breach in the coolant circuit. An outer housing is provided for the reactor installation and gas treatmeat means (heat sink and absorption tower) are positioned outside ths outer housing. On a breach occurring in the primary coolant circuit, the resulting pressure surge forces gas into the heat sink and thence to the absorption tower; if the activity of the air enclosed between the outside and inside housings becomes too high, it is also passed into the heat sink. The scheme persuits the maintenance of an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen or CO/sub 2/ around the breached primary coolant circuit, preventing oxygen-moderator reactions. (D.L.C.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-15-013957
• OSTI ID: 4054812
• Report Number(s): GB 862624
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CARBON DIOXIDE
COOLANT LOOPS
GAS COOLANT
GAS FLOW
HEAT EXCHANGERS
MAINTENANCE
NITROGEN
PRESSURE VESSELS
RADIOACTIVITY
REACTOR FUELING
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
REACTORS
SERVOMECHANISMS