Pressurized water reactor with compact passive safety systems

摘要

A nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel and a nuclear reactor core disposed in the pressure vessel. A subterranean containment structure contains the nuclear reactor. An ultimate heat sink (UHS) pool is disposed at grade level, and an upper portion of the subterranean containment structure defines at least a portion of the bottom of the UHS pool. In some embodiments, the upper portion of the subterranean containment structure comprises an upper dome, which may protrude above the surface of the UHS pool to define an island surrounded by the UHS pool. In some embodiments, a condenser comprising a heat exchanger including hot and cold flow paths is disposed inside the subterranean containment structure; and cooling water lines operatively connect the condenser with the UHS pool.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a nuclear reactor including a pressure vessel and a nuclear reactor core disposed in the pressure vessel; a subterranean containment structure containing the nuclear reactor; and an ultimate heat sink pool disposed at grade level wherein an upper portion of the subterranean containment structure defines at least a portion of the bottom of the ultimate heat sink pool; wherein the upper portion of the subterranean containment structure comprises an upper dome that defines at least a portion of the bottom of the ultimate heat sink pool; and wherein an uppermost extremity of the upper dome of the subterranean containment structure extends above the surface of the ultimate heat sink pool to define an island surrounded by the ultimate heat sink pool.