Poison and diluent system for nuclear power plants

Details Poison and diluent system for nuclear power plants Poison and diluent system for nuclear power plants

1976-03-29

1978-12-19

Engle, Samuel W.

176 87, G21C 900

Patent

active

041304594

ABSTRACT:
A system to prevent supercriticality in nuclear power plants in the unlikely event of a core destructive accident terminating in the nuclear core meltdown. The system dilutes and poisons the molten core to maintain subcriticality, and is specially useful in mobile nuclear power plants, or in nuclear plants subject to seismic disturbances, where the orientation of the nuclear reactor after the accident is unknown. It is also applicable to alleviate the consequences of loss of coolant flow accidents from any cause. Aside from preventing supercriticality, the system serves the dual purpose of acting as a biological shield and/or structural member that reduces the deleterious effects of accidental core impaction, thus achieving its primary goal without compromising power plant weight and size constrants.
A borated material, with a melting point greater than the fuel melting point, is inserted in the pressure vessel behind an inner wall. In the unlikely event of a core meltdown, the molten fuel melts through the inner wall and is diluted and poisoned by the borated material. In the event the molten fuel melts through the pressure vessel, additional borated material is provided to continue diluting and poisoning.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3158547 (1964-11-01), Smith
patent: 3275523 (1966-09-01), Campbell, Jr. et al.
patent: 3361638 (1968-01-01), Bokros et al.
patent: 3489206 (1970-01-01), LeCourt
patent: 3565762 (1971-02-01), Nickel
patent: 3711371 (1973-01-01), Cahill, Jr.
patent: 3898126 (1975-08-01), Dormer et al.
patent: 3917768 (1975-11-01), Abate-Daga et al.
"Nuclear Safety of an Airborne Thermal Reactor" issued 10-71, Paper #LA-4783-MS.
Neue Huett, 12:350-5 (June 1967) in German.

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