Nuclear plant with increased safety - provided by external humid clay layers to absorb discharged activity

摘要

The safety of the surroundings of a nuclear plant, in the event of a containment vessel failure, is increased by surrounding the nuclear component, opt. other plant components also, with soils, partic. clay or the like, which possess a low permeability to gases and liquids in the humid state. Pref. the soil, clay etc. is maintained permanently humid by underground irrigation or sprinkler equipment. The material may be laid in layers with water-permeable intermediate layers, such as perforated plastics sheets, separating them. Conventional frost protection may also be used. Considerably increased safety is attained in relation to aircraft crashes, pressure waves, sabotage, acts of war etc.. The addition of an external layer of soil increases the pressure resistance of the containment vessel. The effect of permeable plastic intermediate layers is to resist the penetration of radioactive substances.