Patent Number: 041464290
Section: description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN EMBODIMENT Referring particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 the building foundation 10 of a nuclear reactor (not shown). Schematically, the nuclear reactor fissionable core is shown as mass 12, actually the mass 12 would be located at some position above the foundation 10. The upper end of the foundation 10 and located under the mass 12 is a receiving funnel assembly 14. The funnel assembly 14 can take the form of a single enlarged funnel or take the form of a plurality of separate funnels, depending upon the particular installation. The outlet 16 of the funnel assembly 14 leads to a plurality of first passageways 18, 20 and 22. The total cross-sectional area of the passageways 18, 20 and 22 is to be approximately equal to the cross-sectional area of the passageway 16. Although three in number of first passageways are shown, it is considered to be within the scope of this invention that more or less than three can be employed. In the area of the junction of the first passageways 18, 20 and 22 with the passageway 16 there is located a quantity 24 of lead or tin or alloys thereof. It is also considered to be within the scope of this invention that other easily meltable materials could be used. Again, it is to be reiterated that the function of the material 24 is to facilitate even distribution of the molten fissionable material which is moved through passageway 16 and also, the material 24 is to intermix with the fissionable material to assist in decreasing the reaction. Also, the use of the meltable material functions to increase the fluidity of the fissionable material so it will continue to flow and distribute through the passages until it is assured that a safe, low temperature for the fissionable material has been achieved. Although the meltable material will normally be located only at the junctions of the passageways, it may also be located throughout the passageways. If the easily meltable material (such as oxides) was such that it was displaced and not mixable with the liquid fissionable material, the meltable material would rise to the upper surface of the liquid fissionable material. As the fissionable material continued to move downwardly, the oxide material would provide a radiation shield preventing escape of radiation contaminates through the upper passages and hence to the ambient. The radiation shield may occur by the oxide material rehardening and assuming a particular location or by remaining liquid and following the fissionable material in its downward path. It is to be apparent that the subject matter of this invention will only be used in an emergency situation in which the solid mass of fissionable material 12 is caused to go out of control and become molten and begin to move under the effect of gravity. The first passageway 18 terminates into a plurality of second passageways 26, 28 and 30. The first passageways 20 and 22 also lead to separate second passageway structure. Again, the number of second passageways is considered to be a matter of choice. Also, in normal practice, the totally combined cross-sectional area of the second passageways will be approximately equal to the cross-sectional area of its connected first passage. There will also be a quantity of easily meltable material 32 placed within the area of the junction of the passageways 26, 28 and 30 with the first passageway 18. The same is true also for the junction of the second passages with the first passages 20 and 22. This passageway configuration is continued in a branch manner with the second passageway 26 being connected to a plurality of third passages 34, 36 and 38. The same procedure is true for each of the second passageways, with there also being a similar manner an easily meltable material 40 located in the area of the junction of the third passages with the second passage. In actual practice, it may be sufficient to end with third passages which are connected to second passageway 28. However, in other instances it may be desirable to have each third passageway connect to a plurality of fourth passageways, such as the connection of passages 42, 44 and 46 with passageway 34. The previously mentioned cross-sectional area arrangement is to be normally maintained at the junction of each set of passages. Also, at the junction of each set of passages there may also be included easily meltable material. In normal practice, it is envisioned that upon the material achieving the dispersement within the separated passages of the third or fourth passages, that sufficient dispersement is achieved so that the reaction has been brought into control and the heat of reaction will be lowered sufficiently so that the cement material of the foundation will not be caused to melt and will function as a plurality of separate spaced apart containers with a quantity of fissionable material. However, as an option, it may be desirable to include at the end of each fourth passage (at the end of the third passage if there are no fourth passages used) an explosive device 48. The explosive device 48 will normally take the form of a conventionally available explosive apparatus and the details of which are not believed necessary to discuss in relation to the structure of this invention. The explosive will normally be designed to be activated upon the fissionable material coming into contact therewith which will be designed to very finely distribute the fissionable material within a base layer 50 of loosely packed material, such as sand. Such a complete dispersement of the fissionable material would insure that the reaction would be completely under control.