IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO NUCLEAR REACTORS

Patent · Mon Apr 18 23:00:00 EST 1960

OSTI ID:4843864

A safety device for a nuclear reactor comprises a material undergoing a change of physical state at a predetermined critical temperature, so that this material in the physical state existing above this temperature, causes the reactivity and the nuclear chain reaction in the reactor to slow down. Preferably this material is constituted by liquid mercury enclosed in a casing that bursts at the said critical temperature. The mercury then escapes in the form of vapor into interspaces formed between moderator blocks of the reactor and is distributed over a large surface and thus absorbs an important number of neutrons. (NPO)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-15-027146
• OSTI ID: 4843864
• Report Number(s): FR 1215447
• Country of Publication: France
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
CONTROL
DISTRIBUTION
EXPANSION
EXPLOSIONS
FAILURES
LIQUIDS
MERCURY
MODERATORS
NEUTRONS
PATENT
REACTIVITY
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
REACTORS
SURFACES
TEMPERATURE
VAPORS