Explosion-resistant pressure vessel composed of concentric spheres - prestressed by radial struts which transmit thrust to innermost pressure shell

摘要

Anti-burst pressure vessel for nuclear reactors and chemical plant comprises an initially unstressed, inner vessel surrounded concentrically by a number of successively larger vessels. Radial struts between successive vessels are expanded radially, thus prestressing the tension elements of each of the surrounding vessels. Thus all the vessels, each of which is generally spherical, transmit radial forces inwards onto the initially unstressed innermost pressure vessel. Each surrounding vessel is composed of panels with joints between them, generally constituting a honeycomb pattern. The joints are so shaped that they stabilise the vessel form. The vessel possesses tension elements, partic. prestressing cables which are all stressed together by the radial outwards thrust of the struts. Arrangement gives high resistance to explosion pressures, partic. due to the elastic yielding capacity of the vessels, which tend to operate as a safety valve. The prestressing action provides a tight gas seal at the contact joint between the panel elements of the separate spheres. The system also makes use of the increased resistance provided by a number of successive vessels as compared with a single, rigid vessel.