Patent Number: 040615340
Section: summary

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to nuclear reactors, and in particular to that kind of nuclear reactor which is cooled by, and whose core is submerged in a pool of, a freezable liquid. The invention has arisen in the context of reducing the capital cost of large power-producing liquid metal cooled fast breeder reactors, and of increasing the safety thereof. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, a nuclear reactor which is cooled by, and whose core is submerged in, a freezable liquid, has the liquid contained by a continuous layer of the liquid frozen into the solid state and supported by a support structure. According to another aspect of the invention, a vessel for containing a freezable liquid coolant in or for a nuclear reactor, comprises a structure shaped as a container, and cooling means in the region of the surface of said structure for effecting freezing of said liquid coolant at and for a finite distance from said surface, whereby there is provided a layer of frozen coolant on and supported by said surface for containing said liquid coolant.