Patent Publication Number: US-2022215975-A1

Title: Double containment nuclear power reactor with passive cooling and radiation scrubbing

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a nuclear power reactor. More particularly, this invention relates to an underground nuclear power reactor. Even more particularly, this invention relates to an underground double containment nuclear power reactor with passive cooling and radiation scrubbing. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Many types of nuclear power reactors have been provided for supplying the necessary cooling water for the reactor and to provide emergency heat exchange systems to the reactor in the event of reactor overheating. Further, reactor systems have been provided to protect the reactor in the event of war or terrorism. Applicant has previously received several patents which represent significant advances in the nuclear reactor art. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,378,855 B2; 9,396,823 B2; 9,502,143 B2; 10,170,209; 10,685,751 B2; and 10,714,221. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Three different embodiments of the double containment nuclear power reactor with passing cooling and radiation scrubbing are disclosed with each of the embodiments being completely buried in the ground. 
     In the first embodiment, the invention includes a first containment member having a bottom wall having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, an upper side and a lower side. The first containment member also includes an upstanding first end wall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end and a second end with the first end wall extending upwardly from the first end of the bottom wall. The first containment member also includes an upstanding second end wall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end and a second end with the second end wall extending upwardly from the second end of the bottom wall. The first containment member also includes an upstanding first side wall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end and a second end with the first side wall extending upwardly from the first side of the bottom wall. The first containment member also includes an upstanding second side wall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end and a second end with the second side wall extending upwardly from the second side of the bottom wall. The first containment member also includes an upper wall which extends between the upper ends of the first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall and the second side wall so that the first containment member defines an interior compartment therebetween. The upper wall of the first containment member is located below the ground level so that the first containment member is completely buried in the ground. In the first embodiment, the first containment member is comprised of a single layer of a concrete material. The first embodiment may include an optional tank which is positioned in the interior compartment of the first containment member. The optional tank is identical to the barge disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,170,209; 10,685,751 B2; and 10,714,221 except that the tank of the first embodiment does not float but is positioned on the bottom wall of the first containment member. The optional tank includes a bottom wall, a first end wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, an open second end, and an open upper end. 
     The first embodiment also includes an upstanding second containment member positioned in the interior of the first containment member with the second containment member having a cylindrical body portion, an upper section and a lower section with the second containment member defining an interior compartment. The second containment member closes the open second end of the tank if the optional tank is used. 
     An upstanding nuclear reactor vessel is positioned in the interior compartment of the second containment member with the nuclear reactor vessel having upper and lower ends. The nuclear reactor vessel has an interior compartment formed therein with the interior compartment of the nuclear reactor vessel having a fluid therein and rods therein. The second containment member and the nuclear reactor vessel are spaced-apart to define an interior compartment therebetween with the interior compartment having an upper end and a lower end. The interior compartment of the first containment member is in valved fluid communication with a source of water. The interior compartment of the second containment member is in valved fluid communication with a source of water. In the preferred embodiment, the source of water is above the nuclear reactor vessel so that cooling water may be supplied to the interior of the second containment member by gravity. Should the reactor vessel become overheated or over-pressurized, cooling water is supplied from the source of water to the interior compartment of the second containment member. 
     In a second embodiment of the invention, the first containment member is comprised of first and second layers of concrete with a flexible and water impervious material therebetween. 
     In a third embodiment of the invention, the bottom wall of the first containment member has a plurality of off-set and spaced-apart expansion joints formed therein. 
     The principal object of the invention is to provide a double containment nuclear power reactor with passive cooling and radiation scrubbing. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a greater level of protection for the reactor from bombing, missile attacks or an aircraft crash. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a greater level of radiation protection for the public. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a simplified passive cooling system for a double containment nuclear power reactor. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a double containment nuclear power reactor with passive cooling and radiation scrubbing wherein the reactor thereof is positioned on the floor of the first containment member. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a double containment nuclear power reactor with passive cooling and radiation scrubbing which decreases the potential of radiation exposure to the public. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a double containment nuclear power reactor with passive cooling and radiation scrubbing wherein a plurality of backup valves are provided. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention wherein cooling water has been supplied to the interior of the second containment member of the invention by gravity flow; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial sectional top view of the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a partial sectional top view of the first embodiment of the invention wherein certain of the tubes thereof extend through the side of the first containment member rather than the end of the first containment member as depicted in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention which is identical to the first embodiment of the invention of  FIG. 1  except that the first containment member is comprised of two layers of concrete having a flexible and water impervious material therebetween; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention which is identical to  FIG. 4  except the concrete bottom wall of the first containment member has a plurality of off-set and spaced-apart expansion joints formed in the two layers of concrete; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial vertical sectional view of the second containment member and the reactor vessel therein; and 
         FIG. 7  is a partial horizontal top sectional view of the second containment member having the reactor vessel therein. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     Applicant has previously received U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,378,855 B2; 9,396,823 B2; 9,502,143 B2; 10,170,209; 10,685,751 B2 and 10,714,221 relating to nuclear power reactors. Although Applicant&#39;s earlier patents relate to floating nuclear power reactors and the instant invention relates to an underground double containment nuclear power reactor, Applicant hereby incorporates the disclosures of the above-identified patents in their entirety by reference thereto to complete this disclosure if necessary. Further, as used herein, the term fluid may include steam. 
     The underground double containment nuclear power reactor of this invention is referred to by the reference numeral  10  ( FIG. 1 ). The ground in which the underground double containment nuclear power reactor  10  is buried will be referred to by the reference numeral  12  with the ground level or upper surface thereof being referred to by the reference numeral  14 . 
     The underground double containment nuclear power reactor  10  includes a first containment member  16 . Containment member  16  includes a bottom wall  18  having a first end  20 , a second end  22 , a first side  24 , a second side  26 , an upper side  28  and a lower side  30 . An upstanding first end wall  32 , having a lower end  34 , an upper end  36 , a first end  38  and a second end  40 . As seen, end wall  32  has an outer side  38 ′ and an inner side  40 ′. An upstanding second end wall  42 , having a lower end  44 , an upper end  46 , a first end  48  and a second end  50 , extends upwardly from end  22  of bottom wall  18 . As seen, end wall  42  has an outer side  50 ′ and an inner side  48 ′. 
     An upstanding first side wall  52 , having a first end  54  and a second end  56 , extends upwardly from the first side  24  of bottom wall  18 . The end  54  of side wall  52  is joined to the end  38  of end wall  32 . The end  56  of side wall  52  is joined to the end  48  of end wall  42 . 
     An upstanding second side wall  58 , having a first end  60  and a second end  62 , extends upwardly from the second side  26  of bottom wall  18 . The end  60  of side wall  58  is joined to the end  40  of end wall  32 . The end  62  of side wall  58  is joined to the end  50  of end wall  42 . 
     The numeral  64  refers to the top wall or roof of the first containment member  16  which is positioned on the upper end  36  of end wall  32 , the upper end  46  of end wall  42 , the upper end of side wall  52  and the upper end of side wall  58  and is joined thereto. As seen, the top wall or roof  64  is located below the upper surface or ground level  14  and is completely buried in the ground  12  which provides protection against air strikes, missile strikes, or other acts of terror or war. As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 3A , the containment member  16  may have an oblong configuration as viewed from the upper end thereof or it may have a rectangular shape such as seen in  FIG. 1 . If the rectangular configuration is employed, rounded portions may be provided on the upper ends of the side walls and end walls of the containment member  16 . 
     The first containment member  16  is preferably comprised of concrete but could be comprised of steel or the like. As will be shown in the drawings, some other versions of the single layer of concrete of  FIG. 1  could be employed. The numeral  65  refers to an optional tank or frame which is positioned in the interior of containment member  16 . Tank  65  is identical to the barge  32  described and shown in U.S. Pat. No. 10,685,751 and will not be described in detail other than to describe that the tank  65  has a bottom wall, a first end wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, an open second end and an open upper end. Tank  65  is comprised of a metal material such as stainless steel, steel, iron, aluminum or other suitable material. 
     An upstanding second containment member  66  is positioned in the interior of the first containment member  16  and in the tank  65  as seen in the drawings. Containment member  66  is preferably comprised of steel but could be formed with other materials. Containment member  66  will be described as having a generally cylindrical body section  68 , a lower section  70  and an upper section  72 . Containment member  66  closes the open second end of the tank  65  just like the nuclear reactor  59  closes one end of the barge  32  in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,170,209; 10,685,751; and 10,714,221. 
     Containment member  66  has a water outlet  74  secured thereto in the upper section  72  thereof. Containment member  66  also has an exhaust outlet  76  formed therein in the upper section  72  thereof as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Containment member  66  also has a one-way water inlet opening or pipe  78  formed in the lower section  70  thereof. As seen, the lower end of the containment member  66  is positioned on the upper side of the bottom wall of the tank  65 , if the optional tank  65  is utilized, which is positioned on the upper side  28  of bottom wall  18  of containment member  16 . If the optional tank  65  is not utilized, the lower end of containment member  66  will be positioned on the upper side  28  of bottom wall  18  of containment member  16 . 
     The numeral  80  refers to a nuclear reactor vessel which is positioned in containment member  66  and which has an interior compartment  82 . For purposes of description, reactor vessel  80  will be described as having an upper end  84  and a lower end  86 . Reactor vessel  80  is spaced from containment member  66  to define an interior compartment  88  therebetween. Interior compartment  82  of reactor vessel  80  contains fluid  90  and rods  92  in conventional fashion. The water inlet opening  78  is in fluid communication with the interior compartment  88 . The water outlet opening  74  is in fluid communication with the interior of containment member  16 . 
     Vessel  80  is provided with a plurality of radially spaced-apart tubes  94  which extend outwardly from reactor vessel  80  in the upper section of reactor vessel  80 . Valves  96  and  98  are imposed in each of the tubes  94 . An elongated and vertically disposed cooling tube  99  extends downwardly from the outlet side of each of the valves  98  in interior compartment  88 . A pair of valves  100  and  102  are imposed in the lower ends of each of the cooling tubes  99 . The discharge side of each of the valves  102  is in communication with a pipe  104  which is in communication with the interior compartment  82  of vessel  80 . 
     A tube  106  extends from vessel  80  below the upper end  84  of vessel  80  and extends outwardly through containment member  68  and has a valve  108  imposed therein. A tube  110  extends from vessel  80  at the lower end thereof with the inner end of tube  110  being in fluid communication with the interior compartment  82  of vessel  80 . A valve  112  and an electric pump  114  are imposed in tube  110 . The reason for having the two valves  96  and  98  connected to each of the tubes  94  is to provide a back-up valve if one of the two valves malfunction. The reason for having the two valves  100  and  102  connected to each of the tubes  104  is to provide a back-up valve if one of the two valves malfunctions. 
     The number  116  refers to an upstanding heat exchanger which is positioned adjacent containment member  66  as seen in the drawings. Heat exchanger  116  includes an upstanding outer support  118 , the lower end of which rests on the bottom wall of the tank  65  if tank  65  is used. If tank  65  is not used, the lower end of the heat exchanger  116  rests on the bottom wall  18  of containment member  16 . A vessel  120  is positioned within outer support  118 . Outer support  118  and vessel  120  define an interior compartment  122  therebetween. In some cases, the outer support  118  may not be necessary. At any rate, fluid  124  is contained in vessel  120 . 
     The tubes  106  and  110 , which extend from the interior of vessel  80 , extend outwardly through containment member  66 , through the outer support  118  of heat changer  116  and into the interior of vessel  120  and are connected to a vertically disposed tube  126  which is positioned in the interior of vessel  120 . 
     Referring now to the drawings, a tube  128  extends from the upper end of vessel  120 , through outer support  118  to a conventional turbine  130  which drives a device  132  such as a generator. A tube  134  extends from turbine  130  to a conventional condenser  136 . A water input line  138  extends from condenser  136  and has valves  140  and  142  imposed therein. Line  138  also has an optional pump  144  imposed therein. Line  146  extends from condenser  136  outwardly through end wall  42  of containment member  16  into the ground  12 . Line  146  has valves  148  and  150  imposed therein. Line  146  also has an optional pump  152  imposed therein. 
     The numeral  154  refers to a tube which extends outwardly through end wall  42  of containment member  16  into the ground  12 . Tube  154  has a valve  156  imposed therein and an optional pump  158  imposed therein. Tube  160  extends from condenser  136  to the interior compartment  124  of vessel  120  of heat exchanger  116 . 
     The structure of  FIG. 3A  is identical to the structure of  FIG. 3  except that the tubes  138 ,  146  and  154  go outwardly through the side wall  52  of containment member  16  rather than the end wall  42  of containment member  16 . 
     Line or tube  138  extends from condenser  136  to a source of water  162  which is positioned at ground level  14  and below. Water  162  may be a singular tank or an oblong body of water such as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 3A . As seen, the source of water  162  is concrete lined. With respect to line  138 , the force of gravity should supply the needed water to condenser  136  but pump  144  ensures that an adequate amount of water will be supplied to condenser  136 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , line or tube  164  fluidly connects the source of water  162  with the interior of containment member  16 . Line  164  has a valve  166  imposed therein. As also seen in  FIG. 1 , a line or tube  168  fluidly connects the source of water  162  and the inlet pipe  78  to supply cooling water to the interior compartment  88  of containment member  66 . A valve  170  is imposed in line  168 . Line  168  also includes a flexible or slack portion  172 . 
     The numeral  174  refers to a conventional radiation scrubber having a vent  176 . Tube  178  connects radiation scrubber  174  to the interior of containment member  16  as seen in  FIG. 1 . Line  180  connects radiation scrubber  174  to the outlet pipe  76  at the upper end of containment member  66 . Line  180  includes a flexible portion  182  therein. 
       FIG. 2  is identical to  FIG. 1  except that cooling water has been supplied to the interior of compartment  88  of containment member  66 , by gravity flow, so as to surround reactor vessel  80 . Excess water in compartment  88  will flow outwardly from outlet pipe  74  into the interior of containment member  16 . Any radiation fumes in the upper part of containment member  16  will pass upwardly to the radiation scrubber  174  by way of line  178 . Any radiation fumes in the upper part of interior compartment  88  will pass upwardly to the radiation scrubber  174  by way of line  180 . 
     When the nuclear reactor of this invention is functioning in a conventional manner, as seen in  FIG. 1 , the valves  166  and  170  in lines  164  and  168  respectively will be closed. The valves  108  and  112  in lines  106  and  110  respectively will be open and pump  114  in line  110  will be active. The heated fluid or steam created in the interior compartment  82  of reactor vessel  80  will be discharged into the heat exchanger  116  by way of the tube  106 . The heated fluid therein will pass through tube  106  and valve  108 , through tube  126  and outwardly through the tube  110 , pump  114  and valve  112  into the interior of compartment  82  of reactor vessel  80  with the flow being aided by the electric pump  114 . 
     When the nuclear reactor of this invention is functioning in a conventional manner, the valves  96 ,  98 ,  100  and  102  will be open so that fluid may pass through the cooling tubes  99 . If there is a break in one of the tubes  99 , the valves  96 ,  98 ,  100  and  102  of the associated tubes  99  will close to avoid loss of fluid from the broken tube  99 . The reason for having two valves  96  and  98  at the outer end of each of the tubes  94  is for one of the valves functioning as a back-up valve in the event of one of the valves malfunctioning. The same is also true for having two valves  100  and  102  at the lower end of each of the cooling tubes  99 . 
     The heated fluid or steam  124  in vessel  120  in heat exchanger  116  passes through line  128  to turbine  130  to drive the same in conventional fashion. Turbine  130  drives the device  132  in conventional fashion. The fluid or steam within turbine  130  is discharged therefrom into condenser  136  by way of tube  134 . The fluid or steam supplied to condenser  136  is returned to the lower end of vessel  120  by line  160 . 
     If the nuclear reactor becomes overheated or over pressurized, the valve  170  in line  168  will be opened to supply water to flood the interior compartment  88  of containment  66  by gravity. Cooling water in the interior compartment  88  will surround the cooling tubes  99 . The valves  96 ,  98 ,  100  and  102  are normally open and this allows hot fluid from the interior compartment  82  to circulate from the upper end of interior compartment  82  through cooling tubes  99  to the lower end of interior compartment  82 . Heat from the hot fluid in the cooling tubes  99  conducts across the wall of cooling tube  99  to the cold water surrounding cooling tube  99 . This cools the fluid inside cooling tube  99 . As the fluid cools, it becomes denser than hot fluid and drops down to the lower part of vessel  80 . Inside the vessel  80 , residual heat from the hot rods  92  heats the fluid making the fluid less dense. Less dense fluid raises and moves to the upper section of vessel  80  and enters the upper end of tube  99  which is surrounded by cold water and cools again inside the cooling tubes  99 , thereby creating a convection current cycle. The convection current cycle results in cooling the reactor. 
     If needed, valve  166  may be opened so that cooling water from the source of water  162  will flood the interior of containment member  16 . The level of water within the first containment member  16  will be controlled by the valve  156  and pump  158  in line  154 . 
     In summary, the new features of the instant invention with respect to Applicant&#39;s earlier patents are set forth below: 
     1. The fact that the nuclear reactor of the instant invention is completely underground, protects the nuclear reactor from air strikes, missile strikes, terrorism, etc. 
     2. The instant invention provides a greater level of radiation protection for the public due to the radiation scrubbing of radiation fumes being discharged from the reactor. 
     3. The simplified passive cooling system supplies cooling water to the interior of the second containment member thereby cooling the cooling loops therein. 
     4. The reactor is positioned on the floor of the tank, if the tank is utilized, which is positioned on the floor of the first containment member. 
     5. If the tank is not utilized, the reactor is positioned on the floor of the first containment member. 
     6. A plurality of back-up valves are provided. 
     Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.