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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Concept of underground nuclear power plant siting for retaining post accident atmospheres

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6277078
Preliminary design criteria developed for a general case show that underground siting of nuclear power reactors is practicable and safe. The concept calls for open-pit excavation in any geological medium to allow construction of the reactor containment structure. A desirable depth of excavation for the containment structure. A desirable depth of excavation for the containment building and steam generators is about 90 meters. After construction the pit is backfilled with selected earth material. The backfill is designed so that it will confine any radioactivity release that might result from a rupture of the containment structure within a small envelope. The additional cost of putting the nuclear portion of the system underground is only a small fraction of the cost of a conventional surface nuclear power plant. The turbine/generator sets must be located at or near the surface for minimum capital expenditures and operating cost. Underground reactor siting as proposed herein will apparently require no new technology. Closure methods and other relevant experience in the area of underground nuclear device testing are also discussed. 16 refs., 11 figs.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
6277078
Report Number(s):
UCRL-84191; CONF-810323-1; ON: TI85016668
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English