Passive Nuclear Reactor Emergency Cooling System Using Compressed Gas Energy and Coolant Storage Outside Nuclear Plant

摘要

A passive safety system for a nuclear power plant (100) cools a nuclear power plant after shutdown (SCRAM) even when all primary water circulation has been disabled. The system comprises a source of compressed gas (112, 805) that can be its only source of operating energy, a source of water (106, 500), and a plurality of plumbing components. The system is located nearby but outside of the plant where it will not be damaged in the event of an accident inside the plant. In one embodiment, the system is located underground. In another embodiment, the system is portable so that the gas and water are carried in tanks (500, 510) on railroad cars or other wheeled conveyances. The portable system is located above ground, or optionally in a covered trench (705). In an alternative embodiment, only compressed gas is used to cool the plant.

主权项

1. A passive safety system for cooling a nuclear power plant after shutdown comprising:
a reservoir of water, said reservoir comprising a sealed water tank with at least a first plumbing connection for admitting compressed gas, and a second plumbing connection for discharging water from said tank, and a third plumbing connection for receiving fluids into said tank, a source of compressed gas that is connected to said tank by said first plumbing connection, at least one valve in said first pipe between said source of compressed gas and said tank, said second plumbing connection connecting said tank to said nuclear power plant, at least one valve in said second pipe between said reservoir and said nuclear power plant, said first and said second valves being normally closed, but openable in case of a shutdown, whereby after shutdown of said nuclear power plant said first and said second valves can be opened so that said compressed gas flows through said first plumbing connection and urges said water to leave said tank via said second plumbing connection and enter said nuclear power plant, thereby cooling said nuclear power plant, and whereby said third valve can be opened to allow fluids from said nuclear plant to flow into said tank when said tank can receive fluids when said first and said second valves are closed.