METHOD AND DEVICE OF LOCALISATION OF CORE MELT OF NUCLEAR REACTOR Russian patent published in 2011 - IPC G21C9/00 

FIELD: power industry.

SUBSTANCE: core melt localisation method involves collection, exposure and cooling of core melt in the tank located under the reactor. Core melt cooling is performed by heat release to atmosphere through protective screen and at contact of core melt with cooled walls of the tank. Before the core melt leaves the reactor or when it is filling the tank, it is mixed with heat-resistant compounds of heavy elements absorbing thermal neutrons, namely with hafnium, tantalum, europium and gadolinium oxides. Core melt localisation device includes tank for collection and exposure of core melt, which is located under the reactor and covered with layer of material melting at contact with core melt, and cooling system. In path of core melt moving from active zone to the tank there arranged is at least one segmented briquette having capillary structure and retaining in the framework the heat-resistant compounds of heavy elements absorbing thermal neutrons. Framework of segmented briquette has melt temperature which is higher than that of heat-resistant compounds of heavy elements, and has the shape of gear in cross section.

EFFECT: reducing the danger of formation of compounds with improved characteristics of neutron multiplication.

8 cl, 3 dwg