Safety apparatus for nuclear reactor to prevent structural damage from overheating by core debris
The invention teaches safety apparatus that can be included in a nuclear reactor, either when newly fabricated or as a retrofit add-on, that will minimize proliferation of structural damage to the reactor in the event the reactor is experiencing an overheating malfunction whereby radioactive nuclear debris might break away from and can be discharged from the reactor core. The invention provides a porous bed of sublayer on the lower surface of the reactor containment vessel so that the debris falls on and piles up on the bed. Vapor release elements upstand from the bed in some laterally spaced array. Thus should the high heat flux of the debris interior vaporize the coolant at that location, the vaporized coolant can be vented downwardly to and laterally through the bed to the vapor release elements and in turn via the release elements upwardly through the debris. This minimizes the pressure buildup in the debris and allows for continuing infiltration of the liquid coolant into the debris interior.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- Assignee:
- EDB-84-036024
- Application Number:
- ON: DE84006194
- OSTI ID:
- 5323279
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Safety apparatus for nuclear reactor to prevent structural damage from overheating by core debris
Method and apparatus for preventing overheating of the superheated vapors in a solar heating system using a refrigerant
Related Subjects
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
CORE CATCHERS
DESIGN
LMFBR TYPE REACTORS
CORIUM
DRYOUT
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTOR CORE DISRUPTION
VAPORS
ACCIDENTS
BREEDER REACTORS
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
FLUIDS
GASES
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety
210500 - Power Reactors
Breeding