Nuclear reactor installation containment construction
US4021297A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 1973 |
| Grant date | May 3, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 1993 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pressurized-water coolant nuclear reactor installation includes a reactor pressure vessel containing fuel elements and enclosed by a substantially spherical steel containment enclosure which is itself enclosed by a concrete secondary enclosure provided to protect the steel enclosure against external accidents. Also, it is necessary to provide a fuel element storage pool having adequate capacity for storing one complete off-site shipment of fuel elements. According to the disclosure, space is formed between the two enclosures which is sufficient to permit the storage pool to be located outside of the steel containment enclosure but inside of the concrete secondary enclosure, both enclosures normally being air-tight. Therefore, the fuel element storage pool does not have to be located inside of the steel containment enclosure, permitting a reduction in its size and, therefore, expense; at the same time the storage pool is fully enclosed in an air-tight manner via the secondary enclosure while avoiding the need for a separate outside building for enclosing the pool.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.