An underground nuclear power station using self-regulating heat-pipe controlled reactors
A nuclear reactor for generating electricity is disposed underground at the bottom of a vertical hole that can be drilled using conventional drilling technology. The primary coolant of the reactor core is the working fluid in a plurality of thermodynamically coupled heat pipes emplaced in the hole between the heat source at the bottom of the hole and heat exchange means near the surface of the earth. Additionally, the primary coolant (consisting of the working fluid in the heat pipes in the reactor core) moderates neutrons and regulates their reactivity, thus keeping the power of the reactor substantially constant. At the end of its useful life, the reactor core may be abandoned in place. Isolation from the atmosphere in case of accident or for abandonment is provided by the operation of explosive closures and mechanical valves emplaced along the hole. This invention combines technology developed and tested for small, highly efficient, space-based nuclear electric power plants with the technology of fast- acting closure mechanisms developed and used for underground testing of nuclear weapons. This invention provides a nuclear power installation which is safe from the worst conceivable reactor accident, namely, the explosion of a nuclear weapon near the ground surface of a nuclear power reactor. 5 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- PATENTS-US-A7194772
- Application Number:
- ON: DE89009666
- OSTI ID:
- 6299539
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Underground nuclear power station using self-regulating heat-pipe controlled reactors
Nuclear Test Scenarios for Discussion of On-Site Inspection Technologies
Related Subjects
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR STATIONS
DESIGN
DRILLING
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDRAULICS
INVENTIONS
PIPES
POWER REACTORS
REACTOR SAFETY
WELLS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUID MECHANICS
MECHANICS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
REACTORS
SAFETY
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
210000* - Nuclear Power Plants
220900 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety