Underground nuclear reactor with explosion mitigation chamber

Abstract

An underground nuclear reactor having a hollow explosion tunnel extending from one end of a containment structure that houses a nuclear reactor, a heat exchanger, a generator, and the like. The hollow explosion tunnel extends from one end of the containment structure, with a normally closed door positioned therebetween. The explosion tunnel defines an explosion chamber having a plurality of spaced-apart debris deflectors positioned therein. The explosion chamber has an upper wall with a top opening formed therein, the top opening being selectively closed by a top portion. If the reactor needs to be repaired or replaced, the door is opened to allow the reactor to pass through the door into the explosion chamber and outward through the top opening. If the reactor explodes, the explosion drives debris from the reactor through the explosion-proof door and into the explosion chamber. As the debris passes through the explosion chamber, the deflectors reduce the force of the explosion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to nuclear power reactors. More particularly, the present invention relates to underground nuclear power reactors. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to underground nuclear power reactors having an explosion mitigation chamber associated therewith. Background Art

[0002] Nuclear reactor systems are designed to protect the reactor in the event of war or terrorism. Applicant has previously been granted several patents representing significant advances in nuclear reactor technology. See, for example, U.S. Patents Nos. 9,378,855 B2, 9,396,823 B2, 9,502,143 B2, 10,170,209, 10,685,751 B2, and 10,714,221. However, none of Applicant's prior patents address a convenient means for removing a nuclear reactor from its containment structure for repair or replacement. Furthermore, none of Applicant's patents or any prior art patents known to Applicant provide a method for mitigating a nuclear reactor explosion in the event of a rupture or explosion. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This summary is provided to introduce selected concepts in a simplified form, which will be further described in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, this summary is not intended to be used to help determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0004] An improvement in the art is described in applicant's co-pending application, Serial No. 17 / 138,217, filed on December 30, 2020, and entitled "DOUBLE CONTAINMENT NUCLEAR POWER REACTOR WITH PASSIVE COOLING AND RADIATION SCRUBBING." Because the present invention works well with the invention of that co-pending application, that co-pending application is disclosed and repeated herein to set the proper context for the present invention.

[0005] The underground nuclear power reactor related to the present invention comprises a containment structure comprising:

[0006] (a) a bottom wall having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, an upper side, and a lower side;

[0007] (b) an upright first end wall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end;

[0008] (c) the first end wall extends upwardly from the first end of the bottom wall;

[0009] (d) an upright second end wall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end;

[0010] (e) a second end wall extending upwardly from the second end of the bottom wall;

[0011] (f) the second end wall of the receiving member has a door opening formed therein;

[0012] (g) an upright first side wall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end;

[0013] (h) a first side wall extending upwardly from a first side of the bottom wall;

[0014] (i) an upright second side wall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end;

[0015] (j) a second side wall extending upwardly from the second side of the bottom wall;

[0016] (k) an upper wall having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a lower side, and an upper side;

[0017] (1) the upper wall extends between the upper ends of the first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall such that the containment member defines an interior compartment therebetween; and

[0018] (m) The upper wall of the containing member is located below ground level, so that the containing member is completely buried in the ground.

[0019] The present invention comprises an elongated, horizontally disposed hollow explosion tunnel comprising an explosion chamber extending from a second end wall of a containment member, the explosion chamber comprising:

[0020] (a) a bottom wall having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, an upper side, and a lower side;

[0021] (b) an upright first side wall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end;

[0022] (c) a first side wall extending upwardly from a first side of the bottom wall;

[0023] (d) an upright second side wall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end;

[0024] (e) a second side wall extending upwardly from the second side of the bottom wall;

[0025] (f) an upright first end wall having a lower end and an upper end;

[0026] (g) a first end wall extending between first ends of the first side wall and the second side wall;

[0027] (h) an upright second end wall having a lower end and an upper end;

[0028] (i) a second end wall extending between second ends of the first side wall and the second side wall;

[0029] (j) an upper wall extending above upper ends of the first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall;

[0030] (k) the upper wall having a top opening formed therein, the top opening being selectively closed by the top portion;

[0031] (1) a first end wall of the blast tunnel, the first end wall having a door opening formed therein, the door opening communicating with the door opening in the second end wall of the containment member;

[0032] (m) a door movably positioned in a door opening in the second end wall of the containment member and in the door opening in the first end wall of the blast tunnel, the door being movable from a normally closed position to an open position in response to an explosion force; and

[0033] (n) The door may also be selectively opened to allow the nuclear power reactor to be removed from the containment structure for replacement and / or maintenance.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the blast tunnel is comprised of concrete.In a preferred embodiment, the deflector is selectively removably secured to a side wall of the blast tunnel.

[0035] A primary object of the present invention is to provide an explosion mitigation chamber for an underground nuclear power reactor.

[0036] Another object of the present invention is to provide an explosion mitigation assembly including an explosion chamber that not only mitigates the explosion of an exploding underground nuclear power reactor but also serves to enable the reactor to be removed from its underground containment structure for repair or replacement.

[0037] It is another object of the present invention to provide an explosion mitigation assembly of the type described which reduces the amount of radiation from an exploded reactor reaching the atmosphere.

[0038] These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

[0040] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention of the pending application;

[0041] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention of the pending application, in which cooling water has been supplied to the interior of the second containing member of the present invention by gravity flow;

[0042] Figure 3 is a partially cutaway top view of a first embodiment of the invention of the pending application;

[0043] Figure 3A is a partially cutaway top view of a first embodiment of the invention of the co-pending application, wherein some of the conduits extend through the side of the first containment member, rather than as in Figure 3 an end portion of the first receiving member as shown;

[0044] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention of the pending application, which is Figure 1 The same as the first embodiment of the invention, except that the first containing member is composed of two layers of concrete with a flexible waterproof material between the concrete layers;

[0045] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention of the pending application, which is Figure 4 Same, except the concrete bottom wall of the first containment member forms a plurality of offset and spaced expansion joints in the two layers of concrete;

[0046] Figure 6 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the second containment member of the pending application and the reactor vessel therein; and

[0047] Figure 7 is a partial horizontal top cross-sectional view of the second containment member of the pending application and the reactor vessel therein; and

[0048] Figure 8 is a partial top cross-sectional view of the present invention extended from the invention of the pending application;

[0049] Figure 8A is similar to Figure 8 a partial upper cross-sectional view of a nuclear power reactor, except that the nuclear power reactor has experienced an explosion or blast which has opened a door to the explosion chamber;

[0050] Figure 8B is similar to Figure 8A A partial upper cross-sectional view of

[0051] Figure 9 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the present application and invention, showing in phantom a top section of the explosion chamber elevated from the explosion chamber;

[0052] Figure 9A is similar to Figure 9 A partial side sectional view of ; and

[0053] Figure 10 It is a partial end cross-sectional view of the explosion chamber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] As described above, the description and drawings of the pending application will be repeated herein with the applicant's present application, and the applicant's present application will be described in detail below. The embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this document and illustrate specific exemplary embodiments in a graphical manner. These embodiments have been disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, the embodiments can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Since the scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims, the following detailed description does not have a limiting meaning.

[0055] The applicant has previously been granted U.S. Patents Nos. 9,378,855 B2, 9,396,823 B2, 9,502,143 B2, 10,170,209, 10,685,751 B2, and 10,714,221, all of which relate to nuclear reactors. While the applicant's earlier patents relate to floating nuclear reactors, the present invention relates to an underground dual-containment nuclear reactor. The applicant hereby incorporates the entire disclosures of the aforementioned patents by reference herein to the extent necessary to complete the present disclosure. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "fluid" may include steam.

[0056] The underground double-accommodation nuclear power reactor of the present invention is indicated by reference numeral 10 ( Figure 1 The ground where the underground double-housing nuclear power reactor 10 is buried is denoted by reference numeral 12 , and the ground level or its upper surface is denoted by reference numeral 14 .

[0057] The underground dual containment nuclear power reactor 10 includes a first containment structure 16. Containment structure 16 includes a bottom wall 18 having a first end 20, a second end 22, a first side 24, a second side 26, an upper side 28, and a lower side 30. An upright first end wall 32 has a lower end 34, an upper end 36, a first end 38, and a second end 40. As shown, end wall 32 has an outer side 38' and an inner side 40'. An upright second end wall 42 extends upward from end 22 of bottom wall 18 and has a lower end 44, an upper end 46, a first end 48, and a second end 50. As shown, end wall 42 has an outer side 50' and an inner side 48'.

[0058] An upstanding first side wall 52 extends upwardly from first side 24 of bottom wall 18 and has a first end 54 and a second end 56. End 54 of side wall 52 is joined to end 38 of end wall 32. End 56 of side wall 52 is joined to end 48 of end wall 42.

[0059] An upstanding second side wall 58 extends upwardly from second side 26 of bottom wall 18 and has a first end 60 and a second end 62. End 60 of side wall 58 is joined to end 40 of end wall 32. End 62 of side wall 58 is joined to end 50 of end wall 42.

[0060] Reference numeral 64 designates the top wall or roof of the first containment member 16, which is located above and connected to the upper end 36 of the end wall 32, the upper end 46 of the end wall 42, the upper end of the side wall 52, and the upper end of the side wall 58. As shown, the top wall or roof 64 is located below the upper surface or ground level 14 and is completely buried in the ground 12 to provide protection against air raids, missile attacks, or other acts of terror or war. Figure 3 and 3A As shown, the receiving member 16 may have an elliptical configuration as viewed from its upper end, or may have a configuration as shown in FIG. Figure 1 If a rectangular configuration is adopted, rounded portions may be provided at the upper ends of both the side walls and the end walls of the receiving member 16 .

[0061] The first containment member 16 is preferably made of concrete, but may also be made of steel or the like. Figure 1 Reference numeral 65 designates an optional tank or frame located within containment member 16. Tank 65 is identical to barge 32 described and illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 10,685,751 and will not be described in detail except that tank 65 is described as having a bottom wall, a first end wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, an open second end, and an open upper end. Tank 65 is comprised of a metal material such as stainless steel, steel, iron, aluminum, or other suitable material.

[0062] As shown, an upright second containment member 66 is positioned within the interior of the first containment member 16 and within the storage tank 65. The containment member 66 is preferably composed of steel, but may also be formed from other materials. The containment member 66 will be described as having a generally cylindrical main body section 68, a lower section 70, and an upper section 72. Just as the nuclear reactor 59 encloses one end of the barge 32 in U.S. Patents 10,170,209, 10,685,751, and 10,714,221, the containment member 66 encloses the open second end of the storage tank 65.

[0063] The containment member 66 has a water outlet 74 secured to the containment member 66 in its upper section 72. The containment member 66 also has an exhaust vent 76 formed therein, as described in greater detail below. The containment member 66 also has a one-way water inlet opening or tube 78 formed in its lower section 70. As shown, if the optional reservoir 65 is used, the lower end of the containment member 66 is positioned on the upper side of the bottom wall of the reservoir 65, which is positioned on the upper side 28 of the bottom wall 18 of the containment member 16. If the optional reservoir 65 is not used, the lower end of the containment member 66 is positioned on the upper side 28 of the bottom wall 18 of the containment member 16.

[0064] Reference numeral 80 designates a nuclear reactor vessel located within containment member 66 and having an interior compartment 82. For illustrative purposes, reactor vessel 80 will be described as having an upper end 84 and a lower end 86. Reactor vessel 80 is spaced from containment member 66 to define an interior compartment 88 therebetween. Interior compartment 82 of reactor vessel 80 contains fluid 90 and rods 92 in a conventional manner. Water inlet opening 78 is in fluid communication with interior compartment 88. Water outlet opening 74 is in fluid communication with the interior of containment member 16.

[0065] Vessel 80 is provided with a plurality of radially spaced conduits 94 extending outwardly from reactor vessel 80 in an upper section thereof. Valves 96 and 98 are disposed in each conduit 94. An elongated, vertically disposed cooling conduit 99 extends downwardly from the outlet side of each valve 98 within interior compartment 88. A pair of valves 100 and 102 are disposed in the lower end of each cooling conduit 99. The discharge side of each valve 102 communicates with a conduit 104, which communicates with interior compartment 82 of vessel 80.

[0066] A conduit 106 extends from container 80 below its upper end 84 and outward through containment member 68. A valve 108 is disposed within conduit 106. A conduit 110 extends from container 80 at its lower end. The inner end of conduit 110 is in fluid communication with interior compartment 82 of container 80. A valve 112 and an electric pump 114 are disposed within conduit 110. Each conduit 94 connects two valves 96 and 98 to provide a backup valve in the event that one of the two valves fails. Each conduit 104 connects two valves 100 and 102 to provide a backup valve in the event that one of the two valves fails.

[0067] Reference numeral 116 designates an upright heat exchanger, which is positioned adjacent to containment member 66 as shown. Heat exchanger 116 includes an upright outer support 118. If tank 65 is used, the lower end of outer support 118 rests on the bottom wall of tank 65. If tank 65 is not used, the lower end of heat exchanger 116 rests on bottom wall 18 of containment member 16. A container 120 is positioned within outer support 118. Outer support 118 and container 120 define an interior compartment 122 therebetween. In some cases, outer support 118 may not be required. Regardless, container 120 contains a fluid 124.

[0068] Conduits 106 and 110 extending from the interior of vessel 80 extend outwardly through containment member 66 , through outer support 118 of heat exchanger 116 , into the interior of vessel 120 , and connect with vertically disposed conduits 126 within vessel 120 .

[0069] Referring now to the figures, conduit 128 extends from the upper end of vessel 120, through outer support 118, to a conventional turbine 130, which drives a device 132, such as a generator. Conduit 134 extends from turbine 130 to a conventional condenser 136. A water input line 138 extends from condenser 136 and has valves 140 and 142 disposed therein. Line 138 also has an optional pump 144 disposed therein. Line 146 extends outward from condenser 136, through end wall 42 of containment member 16, and into ground 12. Line 146 has valves 148 and 150 disposed therein. Line 146 also has an optional pump 152 disposed therein.

[0070] Reference numeral 154 designates a conduit extending outwardly through the end wall 42 of the containment member 16 into the ground 12. The conduit 154 has a valve 156 disposed therein and an optional pump 158 disposed therein. A conduit 160 extends from the condenser 136 to the interior compartment 124 of the vessel 120 of the heat exchanger 116.

[0071] Figure 3A The structure and Figure 3 The structure of the containment member 16 is identical except that the conduits 138 , 146 , and 154 extend outwardly through the side wall 52 of the containment member 16 rather than the end wall 42 of the containment member 16 .

[0072] A line or pipe 138 extends from the condenser 136 to a water source 162 located at or below ground level 14. The water source 162 may be a single tank or an elliptical body of water, such as Figure 3 and 3A As shown, the water source 162 is concrete lined. With respect to the line 138, gravity should supply the required water to the condenser 136, but the pump 144 ensures that a sufficient amount of water will be supplied to the condenser 136.

[0073] like Figure 1 As shown, a line or conduit 164 fluidly connects a water source 162 to the interior of the containment member 16. The line 164 has a valve 166 disposed therein. Figure 1 As shown, a line or conduit 168 fluidly connects the water source 162 and the inlet pipe 78 to supply cooling water to the interior compartment 88 of the containment member 66. A valve 170 is disposed in the line 168. The line 168 also includes a flexible or slack portion 172.

[0074] Reference numeral 174 designates a conventional radiation scrubber having a vent 176. A conduit 178 connects the radiation scrubber 174 to the interior of the containment structure 16, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 A line 180 connects the radiation scrubber 174 to the outlet pipe 76 at the upper end of the containment member 66. The line 180 includes a flexible portion 182 therein.

[0075] Figure 2 and Figure 1 Same, except that cooling water is supplied by gravity flow to the interior of compartment 88 of containment structure 66, surrounding reactor vessel 80. Excess water in compartment 88 will flow outward from outlet pipe 74 into the interior of containment structure 16. Any radioactive fumes in the upper portion of containment structure 16 will pass upward through line 178 to radiation scrubber 174. Any radioactive fumes in the upper portion of containment structure 88 will pass upward through line 180 to radiation scrubber 174.

[0076] When the nuclear reactor of the present invention is operated in a conventional manner, as Figure 1 As shown, valves 166 and 170 in lines 164 and 168, respectively, will be closed. Valves 108 and 112 in lines 106 and 110, respectively, will be opened, and pump 114 in line 110 will be activated. Heating fluid or steam generated in interior compartment 82 of reactor vessel 80 will be discharged via line 106 to heat exchanger 116. The heating fluid therein will flow through line 106 and valve 108, through line 126, and outwardly through line 110, pump 114, and valve 112 into the interior of compartment 82 of reactor vessel 80, with this flow being assisted by electric pump 114.

[0077] When the nuclear reactor of the present invention is operating in a conventional manner, valves 96, 98, 100, and 102 are open to allow fluid to flow through the cooling pipes 99. If one of the pipes 99 ruptures, the valves 96, 98, 100, and 102 of the relevant pipe 99 are closed to prevent the loss of fluid from the ruptured pipe 99. The reason for providing two valves 96 and 98 at the outer end of each pipe 94 is so that one valve can serve as a backup valve in the event of a failure of one of the valves. The same is true for providing two valves 100 and 102 at the lower end of each cooling pipe 99.

[0078] Heated fluid or steam 124 in vessel 120 in heat exchanger 116 passes through line 128 to turbine 130, which drives turbine 130 in a conventional manner. Turbine 130 drives device 132 in a conventional manner. Fluid or steam from turbine 130 is discharged through line 134 to condenser 136. Fluid or steam supplied to condenser 136 is returned to the lower end of vessel 120 via line 160.

[0079] If the nuclear reactor overheats or overpressurizes, valve 170 in line 168 opens, allowing gravity-fed water to flood the interior compartment 88 of containment 66. Cooling water in interior compartment 88 surrounds cooling tube 99. Valves 96, 98, 100, and 102 are normally open, allowing hot fluid from interior compartment 82 to circulate from the upper end of interior compartment 82 through cooling tube 99 to the lower end of interior chamber 82. Heat from the hot fluid in cooling tube 99 is transferred across the walls of cooling tube 99 to the cold water surrounding cooling tube 99. This cools the fluid within cooling tube 99. As the fluid cools, its density becomes higher than that of the hot fluid and it descends to the lower portion of vessel 80. Within vessel 80, residual heat from hot rods 92 heats the fluid, reducing its density. The less dense fluid rises and moves to the upper section of vessel 80, entering the upper end of tube 99 surrounded by cold water and cooling again within cooling tube 99, thereby creating a convection cycle. Convection circulation cools the reactor.

[0080] If necessary, valve 166 can be opened so that cooling water from source 162 floods the interior of containment member 16. The water level within first containment member 16 will be controlled by valve 156 and pump 158 in line 154.

[0081] In summary, the novel features of the invention of the pending application relative to the applicant's earlier patent are as follows:

[0082] 1. The nuclear reactor of the present invention is completely underground, which protects the nuclear reactor from air raids, missile attacks, terrorism, etc.

[0083] 2. The present invention provides a higher level of radiation protection for the public due to the radiation scrubbing of the radioactive fumes exhausted from the reactor.

[0084] 3. A simplified passive cooling system supplies cooling water to the interior of the second receiving member, thereby cooling the cooling circuit therein.

[0085] 4. If a storage tank is used, the reactor is located on the floor of the storage tank, and the storage tank is located on the floor of the first containment member.

[0086] 5. If storage tanks are not used, the reactor is located on the floor of the first containment structure.

[0087] 6. Set up multiple backup valves.

[0088] Reference numeral 190 designates the explosion mitigation assembly of the present invention. The underground nuclear reactor of the pending application has been modified to some extent to accommodate the connection of the explosion mitigation assembly to the underground nuclear reactor. The end wall 22 of the containment structure 16 is partially cut away to form a door opening 192 therein. The door opening 192 is large enough to allow the nuclear reactor 80, the heat exchanger 116, and related equipment to be moved through the door opening 192 for maintenance or replacement. Figure 8 、 8A 8B , the right end of the water source 162 is removed in a manner that seals or closes the right end of the water source 162 .

[0089] Explosion mitigation assembly 190 includes an elongated hollow tunnel member 193 having an inner end 194 and an outer end 196. Tunnel member 193 includes a horizontally disposed bottom wall 198, an upright outer end wall 200, an upper wall 202, a first side wall 204, and a second side wall 206. Walls 198, 200, 202, 204, and 206 of tunnel member 193 define an internal explosion mitigation chamber 208. The inner end of explosion mitigation chamber 208 has a door opening 210 formed therein, which aligns with door opening 192 in containment member 16. A door 212 is hingedly mounted in door openings 192 and 210 and is preferably composed of steel. Door 212 is normally closed but can be moved to an open position, as described in detail below.

[0090] As shown, a plurality of elongated, vertically disposed deflectors 214 are secured to the inner surface of wall 204 in a horizontally spaced pattern. As shown, a plurality of elongated, vertically disposed deflectors 214 are also secured to the inner surface of wall 206 in a horizontally spaced pattern. As shown, the deflectors 214 extending inwardly from wall 204 are horizontally offset relative to the deflectors 214 extending inwardly from wall 206. Preferably, the deflectors 214 are comprised of concrete, but could be comprised of steel or the like, if desired.

[0091] Each deflector 214 preferably has a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section, defining an angled front face 214A and a rear face 214B. The lower end of the deflector 214 is preferably located on the upper side of the bottom wall 198. The deflectors 214 are preferably selectively secured to their respective side walls via flanges 216 and bolts 218. The inner ends of the flanges 216 are embedded in their respective deflectors 214, while the outer ends are bolted to the corresponding side walls. The attachment of the deflectors 214 to their respective side walls allows them to be removed from the chamber 208, allowing for cleaning of the interior of the chamber 208 and for moving the nuclear reactor through the chamber 208 for maintenance or replacement. Reference numeral 220 designates a top portion that selectively closes a top opening 222 formed in the upper wall 202. A plurality of radiation filters 224 communicate with the explosion mitigation chamber 208 to filter and exhaust radiation from the explosion mitigation chamber 208.

[0092] Sometimes, the reactor 80 and heat exchanger 116 must be repaired or replaced. In such cases, the top portion 220 is raised to open the top opening 222. The door 212 is then moved to its open position. Typically, the deflectors 214 on the walls 204 and 206 are removed from the explosion chamber 198 to remove the reactor 80 and the like from the containment structure 16. The reactor 80 and the like are then moved through the door openings 192 and 210, through the explosion chamber 208, and out through the top opening 222 for repair or replacement.

[0093] Door 212 includes a closing mechanism designed to open when the reactor shatters due to overpressure and door 212 experiences a predetermined explosion pressure. The reactor's shattering also causes the shattering and damage of other components within containment structure 16, such as the steam generator, turbine, generator, condenser, and support structure. The shattered reactor and its associated components impact door 212, which is opened by the explosive force, allowing fragments of the destroyed reactor and other components to pass through door opening 192 and door opening 210 and into explosion mitigation chamber 208.

[0094] The pressure wave and reactor debris strike the innermost deflector 214 on wall 204, reducing the force of the explosion. Reactor and component debris are redirected to the next deflector 214 on wall 206, and then back and forth through deflectors 214 until the end of chamber 208, with the force of the explosion decreasing each time the debris strikes the front face of a deflector 214. Eventually, the force of the explosion is reduced to a safe level, allowing the top portion 220 to be opened, clearing the explosion mitigation chamber 208 and the containment structure 16. A radiation filter 224 filters and exhausts radiation from the explosion chamber 208. The radiation filter 224 also reduces the pressure within the explosion chamber 208 to a certain extent.

[0095] It can thus be seen that the present invention achieves at least all of its stated objects.

[0096] Although the present invention has been described using specific language for certain structures and method steps, it should be understood that the invention as defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and / or steps described. Instead, specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the present invention can be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. An underground nuclear reactor comprising: A receiving member, the receiving member comprising: (a) a bottom wall having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, an upper side, and a lower side; (b) an upright first end wall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end; (c) the first end wall extends upwardly from the first end of the bottom wall; (d) an upright second end wall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end; (e) the second end wall extends upwardly from the second end of the bottom wall; (f) the second end wall of the receiving member has a door opening formed therein; (g) a door movably located in the door opening of the second end wall of the containment member, the door being movable from a closed position to an open position in the event of an explosion or blast at the nuclear reactor; (h) an upright first side wall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end; (i) the first side wall extends upward from the first side of the bottom wall; (j) an upright second sidewall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end; (k) the second side wall extends upward from the second side of the bottom wall; (1) an upper wall having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a lower side, and an upper side; (m) the upper wall extends between upper ends of the first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall such that the containment member defines an interior compartment therebetween; and (n) the upper wall of the containment member is located below ground level, whereby the containment member is completely buried in the ground; a nuclear reactor located within the interior compartment of the containment member; A slender hollow explosion tunnel, comprising: (a) a bottom wall having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, an upper side, and a lower side; (b) an upright first side wall extending upward from the first side of the bottom wall and having an upper end, a lower end, a first end, a second end, an inner side, and an outer side; (c) an upright second side wall extending upward from the second side of the bottom wall and having an upper end, a lower end, a first end, a second end, an inner side, and an outer side; (d) a first end wall having an upper end and a lower end, located at the first end of the bottom wall and having a door opening formed therein, the door opening of the first end wall communicating with the door opening in the second end wall of the receiving member when the door is in the open position; (e) a second end wall having an upper end and a lower end and being located at the second end of the bottom wall, the second end wall extending between the second ends of the first side wall and the second side wall; (f) an upper wall, the upper wall being located at the upper ends of the first end wall of the explosion tunnel, the second end wall of the explosion tunnel, the first side wall of the explosion tunnel, and the second side wall of the explosion tunnel; and (g) The wall of the explosion tunnel defines an explosion chamber configured to receive debris from the nuclear reactor in the event that the nuclear reactor explodes, thereby generating an explosive force extending from the nuclear reactor.

2. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that The upper wall of the blast tunnel has a top opening formed therein, wherein a top portion is located on the blast tunnel, the top portion being located in the top opening to close the top opening, but the top portion is selectively movable to an open position.

3. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of spaced-apart first deflectors are secured to the inner side of the first side wall of the blast tunnel to be partially in a path of debris passing through the blast tunnel from the first end toward the second end of the blast tunnel, and wherein a plurality of spaced-apart second deflectors are secured to the inner side of the second side wall of the blast tunnel to be partially in a path of debris passing through the blast tunnel from the first end toward the second end of the blast tunnel.

4. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 3, characterized in that The first deflectors are vertically disposed and horizontally spaced, wherein the second deflectors are vertically disposed and horizontally spaced.

5. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 4, characterized in that Each of the first and second deflectors has an angular shape.

6. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 3, characterized in that The first deflector and the second deflector are composed of concrete material.

7. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 3, characterized in that The first and second deflectors are selectively removably secured to the first and second side walls of the blast tunnel, respectively.

8. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 3, characterized in that Each of the first and second deflectors has an upper end and a lower end, and the lower end of the deflector is located on the upper side of the bottom wall of the blast tunnel.

9. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 3, characterized in that Each of the first and second deflectors has a front face disposed at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the blast tunnel.

10. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving member is composed of concrete material.

11. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 1, wherein: The blast tunnel is made of concrete material.

12. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 1, wherein: The door opening of the first end wall and the door opening of the second end wall are large enough to allow the nuclear reactor to pass through the door opening of the first end wall and the door opening of the second end wall for maintenance or replacement.

13. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 2, wherein: The top opening is large enough to allow the nuclear reactor to pass through the top opening for maintenance or replacement.

14. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 1, wherein: The door is selectively movable from the closed position to the open position.

15. An underground nuclear reactor comprising: a containment member having a wall, a bottom wall, a first end wall, a second end wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, an upper wall, and an interior compartment; a nuclear reactor located within the interior compartment of the containment member; the second end wall of the receiving member having a door opening formed therein; A hollow explosion tunnel having a first end wall, a second end wall, a first side wall having an inner side and an outer side, a second side wall having an inner side and an outer side, a bottom wall, an upper wall, and an explosion mitigation chamber; the first end wall of the explosion tunnel having a door opening formed therein, the door opening of the first end wall communicating with the door opening in the second end wall of the containment member; a door movably positioned in the door opening of the first end wall and the door opening of the second end wall; as well as The door is closed, but if a nuclear reactor explodes, a predetermined explosion force is applied to the door, so that the door can be moved to an open position, whereby debris from the exploded nuclear reactor will pass through the door opening of the first end wall and the door opening of the second end wall into the explosion mitigation chamber.

16. The in-ground nuclear reactor according to claim 15, characterized in that: A plurality of spaced-apart first deflectors are mounted on the inner side of the first side wall of the blast tunnel, wherein a plurality of spaced-apart second deflectors are mounted on the inner side of the second side wall of the blast tunnel.

17. The in-ground nuclear reactor according to claim 16, characterized in that: The second deflector is offset relative to the first deflector.

18. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 16, wherein: The first and second deflectors are selectively removably secured to the inner sides of the first and second side walls of the blast tunnel.

19. The underground nuclear reactor according to claim 15, wherein: The upper wall of the blast tunnel has an opening formed therein, the opening being selectively closed by a top portion.

20. The in-ground nuclear reactor according to claim 15, wherein: The door opening of the first end wall and the door opening of the second end wall are large enough to allow the nuclear reactor to pass through the door opening of the first end wall and the door opening of the second end wall.

21. The in-ground nuclear reactor according to claim 20, characterized in that The opening in the upper wall of the blast tunnel is large enough to allow the nuclear reactor to pass through the opening.

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