METHOD AND FACILITY FOR PREVENTING EXTENSION OF BREAKING AT TIME OF CORE MELTING IN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

摘要

The invention concerns an arrangement and method for limiting the consequences of a core meltdown accident in nuclear power stations in which the containment with the reactor is located above operating compartments, in particular in existing nuclear power stations or those under construction in which the containment's bottom slab does not provide sufficient protection against melting. The invention provides that the operating compartment under the containment's bottom slab can be filled with stone chips via a conveyor line if an accident occurs. The operating compartment is provided with a high-temperature-resistant lining and can be sealed gastight and so that it will retain pressure by means of airlocks. If a core meltdown occurs, the lined operating compartment is filled with stone chips that are stored in a storage vessel and conveyed in a conveyor line; the operating compartment is sealed gastight and so that it will retain pressure by means of the airlocks. When the containment's bottom slab melts through, the molten core is absorbed, diluted and cooled to solidification by the stone chips within the operating compartment.