Nuclear reactor operating in pond has binary alloy fusible element in core vessel shell to screen it from pond in event of meltdown

摘要

The pressurised or boiling water nuclear reactor, operating in a pond (5) consists of a vessel (1) containing a core (7) and in which water is circulated through a primary circuit. It has a passive retention system for the core in the event of meltdown, comprising a binary alloy fusible element (3) inside the shell (2) of the vessel that acts as a screen and a thermal bridge between the vessel and the pond. The fusible element is contained in a space (4) within the shell wall and comprises e.g. a lead-bismuth alloy with a melting point of 120 - 150 deg C.