Underground nuclear power reactor with explosion relief chamber

Abstract

An underground nuclear power reactor has a hollow blast tunnel extending from one end of a containment member and containing a nuclear reactor, heat exchanger, generator, etc. The nuclear reactor, etc. is on a movable support member. The blast tunnel defines a blast chamber having spaced apart multiple debris deflector members therein. The blast chamber has an upper wall with a top opening formed therein that is selectively closed by a top portion. If the reactor needs to be serviced or replaced, the top portion is opened to allow the reactor to pass therethrough into the blast chamber and out through the top opening. If the reactor explodes, the explosion thereof drives debris therethrough a blast door into the blast chamber where the deflector members reduce the blast force as the debris passes through the blast chamber. A simplified cooling system is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to nuclear reactors. More specifically, this invention relates to underground nuclear reactors. Even more specifically, this invention relates to underground nuclear reactors having an explosion mitigation chamber connected thereto. Even more specifically, this invention relates to underground nuclear reactors having a simplified emergency cooling system. Background Technology

[0002] Nuclear reactor systems are configured to protect the reactor in the event of a destructive event. The applicant has previously been granted several patents representing significant advancements in nuclear reactor technology. See, for example, U.S. Patents 9,378,855B2, 9,396,823B2, 9,502,143B2, 10,170,209, 10,685,751B2, and 10,714,221. In pending application 17 / 183,923, filed February 24, 2021, entitled “Underground Nucleear Power Reactor with a Blasting Mitigation Chamber,” the applicant provides a convenient device for removing a nuclear reactor from its containment structure for repair or replacement. In the same application, the applicant provides a unique emergency cooling system. This application represents an improvement on the invention of the co-pending application. Summary of the Invention

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

[0004] The underground nuclear reactor related to this invention includes a containment structure 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 upward 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 upward from the second end of the bottom wall; (f) The second end wall of the receiving member has a channel formed therein; (g) An upright first sidewall, the first sidewall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end; (h) The first sidewall extends upward from the first side of the bottom wall; (i) An upright second sidewall, the second sidewall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end; (j) The second sidewall extends upward from the second side of the bottom wall; (k) Upper wall, which has a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a lower side and an upper side; (l) 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 receiving member defines an internal compartment therebetween; and (m) The upper wall of the housing component is located below the ground level, so the housing component is completely buried underground.

[0005] The present invention includes an elongated, horizontally arranged hollow explosive tunnel, the hollow explosive tunnel including an explosive chamber extending from a second end wall of a receiving member, the explosive chamber 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 sidewall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end; (c) The first sidewall extends upward from the first side of the base wall; (d) An upright second sidewall, the second sidewall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end; (e) The second sidewall extends upward from the second side of the base wall; (f) An upright first end wall having a lower end and an upper end; (g) The first end wall extends between the first end of the first side wall and the first end of the second side wall; (h) An upright second end wall having a lower end and an upper end; (i) The second end wall extends between the second ends of the first side wall and the second side wall; (j) The upper wall extends at the upper ends of the first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall; (k) The upper wall has a top opening formed therein, which is selectively closed by a top portion; (l) The first end wall of the explosion tunnel has a channel formed therein, which communicates with a channel in the second end wall that houses the component; (m) An optional explosion-proof door is movably positioned in the passage of the second end wall accommodating the component and the passage of the first end wall of the explosion tunnel, the explosion-proof door being movable from a normally closed position to a position opened due to an explosion; and (n) The explosion-proof door can also be selectively opened to allow the nuclear reactor to be removed from its housing for replacement and / or repair.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the blast tunnel is constructed of concrete. In a preferred embodiment, the deflector is selectively and detachably fixed to the sidewall of the blast tunnel.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, a simplified cooling system is provided for cooling the reactor vessel in emergency situations.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the nuclear reactor vessel, heat exchanger, turbine, and generator are mounted on movable support members within the containment structure, which allows the nuclear reactor to be more easily removed from the containment structure and explosion mitigation chamber for maintenance or replacement.

[0009] The main objective of this invention is to provide a nuclear reactor containment that has both passive cooling and explosion mitigation functions.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a nuclear reactor containment, wherein some or all of the power generation units can be moved into and out of the containment system for maintenance or refueling.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an explosion mitigation system that, in the event of a nuclear reactor explosion, transfers the force of the explosion to the lateral direction and controls the force of the explosion within an explosion mitigation chamber.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a nuclear reactor that is protected from missile attacks or aircraft crashes.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a simplified passive cooling system that is not affected by earthquakes and can be used in conjunction with an explosion mitigation unit and a protective unit that protects against missile attacks or aircraft crashes.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a nuclear reactor in which components of the nuclear reactor and power generation unit are mounted on a movable platform.

[0015] A primary objective of this invention is to provide an explosion mitigation chamber for underground nuclear reactors.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide an explosion mitigation assembly comprising an explosion chamber that not only mitigates the explosion of an underground nuclear reactor in an explosion, but also enables the reactor to be removed from its underground containment structure for repair or replacement.

[0017] These and other objectives will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The following figures illustrate non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the invention, wherein, unless otherwise stated, the same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various views.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a partial side sectional view of the present invention, which shows the top section of the explosion chamber rising from the explosion chamber in dashed lines; Figure 1A yes Figure 1 The enlarged portion shows components of the nuclear reactor and power generation unit mounted on a mobile wheeled platform; Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the nuclear reactor vessel; Figure 3 This is a partial top sectional view of the present invention; Figure 4 Is with Figure 3 Similar views, except the nuclear reactor has undergone an explosion or blast; Figure 5 This is a partial top sectional view that more fully illustrates the invention; Figure 6 This is a partial side sectional view showing the nuclear reactor vessel in fluid connection with pipes passing through cooling water; and Figure 7 Is with Figure 1 A similar view, except the generator is located on the ground. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the invention and illustrate specific exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. These embodiments have been disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Therefore, since the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims, the following detailed description is not intended to be limiting.

[0021] 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, which relate to nuclear reactors. The applicant's earlier patents relate to floating nuclear reactors, while this invention relates to underground nuclear reactors and explosion mitigation chambers. Where necessary, the disclosures of the aforementioned patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to complete this invention. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "fluid" may include "steam."

[0022] The underground nuclear reactor of the present invention is defined by reference numeral 10 ( Figure 1 The ground surface where the underground nuclear reactor 10 is located is indicated by reference numeral 12, and the ground surface or its upper surface is indicated by reference numeral 14.

[0023] The underground nuclear reactor 10 includes a housing member 16. The housing member 16 includes a bottom wall 18 having a first end 20, a second end 22, a first side 24, a second side 26, a top side 28, and a bottom side 30. The housing member 16 includes an upright first end wall 32 having a bottom end 34, a top end 36, a first end 38, and a second end 40. The housing member 16 also includes an upright second end wall 42 having a bottom end 44, a top end 46, a first end 48, and a second end 50, extending upward from the end 22 of the bottom wall 18. The second end wall 42 has a channel 51 formed therein, which will be described below.

[0024] The receiving member 16 includes an upright first sidewall 52 having a first end 54 and a second end 56, extending upward from a first side 24 of the bottom wall 18. The end 54 of the sidewall 52 engages with the end 38 of the end wall 32. The end 56 of the sidewall 52 engages with the end 48 of the end wall 42.

[0025] The receiving member 16 also includes an upright second sidewall 58 having a first end 60 and a second end 62, extending upward from the second side 26 of the bottom wall 18. The end 60 of the sidewall 58 engages with the end 40 of the end wall 32. The end 62 of the sidewall 58 engages with the end 50 of the end wall 42.

[0026] The components of the nuclear reactor 10 are mounted on a movable support member 66, which has an upper side 68, a lower side 70, a first end 72, a second end 74, a first side 76, and a second side 78. A plurality of casters 80 are fixed to the lower side 70 of the support member 66, which engages with the upper side 28 of the bottom wall 18, thus the support member 66 is located above the bottom wall 18.

[0027] The nuclear reactor 10 includes a vertically arranged reactor vessel 82, which has an upper end 84, a lower end 86, and internal compartments 88. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the inner end 92 of pipe 90 is in fluid communication with the upper end of the internal compartment 88. Pipe 94 extends outward from pipe 90 outside container 82 and a valve 96 is installed therein. A valve 98 is installed in pipe 90 outside pipe 94.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, the inner end 102 of the pipe 100 is in fluid communication with the lower end of the internal compartment 88. (As indicated...) Figure 2 As shown, pipe 104 extends from pipe 100 and a valve 106 is installed therein. Figure 2As shown, pipe 100 has valve 108, which is installed in pipe 100 outside of pipe 104. Pump 110 is installed in pipe 100 outside of valve 108. Figure 1A As shown, pipes 90 and 100 extend into heat exchanger 112 and pass through, as shown in the diagram... Figure 1A The pipes 116 shown are connected together, and the heat exchanger 112 has an internal compartment 114.

[0029] A steam line or pipe 118 extends from the internal compartment 114 of the heat exchanger 112 to the turbine 120 that drives the generator 122. A return line 124 extends from the turbine 120 to the condenser 126, and a leg 128 extending upward from the support member 66 raises the condenser 126 above the support member 66. A line 130 extends from the lower side 132 of the condenser 126 to the lower end of the internal compartment 114 of the heat exchanger 112. Although the turbine 120, generator 122, and condenser 126 are preferably located in the housing member 16, as... Figure 7 As shown, they can also be located at ground level 14. If positioned this way, these components are typically enclosed within a building or shed.

[0030] like Figure 6 As shown, pipes 94 and 104 extend outward through housing member 16 to a buried water tank 134 containing cooling water 136. As shown, tank 134 has a vent pipe 138 that extends upward from it to a position above ground level 14. Still as... Figure 6 As shown, pipes 94 and 104 are connected together by a cooling pipe 139 extending between them and surrounded by cold water in a water tank. Preferably, pipe 94 has flexible slack portions formed inside and outside the receiving member 16. Preferably, pipe 104 has slack portions formed inside and outside the receiving member 16.

[0031] Reference numeral 190 denotes the explosion mitigation assembly of the present invention. The explosion mitigation assembly 190 includes an elongated hollow tunnel member 193 having an inner end 194 and an outer end 196. The tunnel member 193 includes a horizontally disposed bottom wall 198, an upright outer end wall 200, a top wall 202, a first side wall 204, and a second side wall 206. The walls 198, 200, 202, 204, and 206 of the tunnel member 193 define an internal explosion mitigation chamber 208. The inner end of the explosion mitigation chamber 208 has a channel 210 formed therein, which aligns with a channel 51 in a receiving member 16. An optional blast door 212, preferably made of steel, is hingedly mounted in channels 51 and 210. The blast door 212 is normally closed but can be moved to an open position, as described in detail below. Channels 51 and 210 are large enough to allow the nuclear reactor 80, heat exchanger 116 and related equipment to move within them for maintenance or replacement.

[0032] As shown in the figure, a plurality of elongated and vertically arranged deflectors 214 are fixed to the inner surface of wall 204 at horizontal intervals. As shown in the figure, a plurality of elongated and vertically arranged deflectors 214 are also fixed to the inner surface of wall 206 at horizontal intervals. As shown in the figure, the deflectors 214 extending inward from wall 204 are horizontally offset relative to the deflectors 214 extending inward from wall 206. Preferably, the deflectors 214 are made of concrete, but if desired, they may also be made of steel or the like.

[0033] Preferably, each deflector 214 has a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section, defining an angled front face 214A and a rear face 214B. Preferably, the lower end of the deflector 214 is located on the upper side of the bottom wall 198. Preferably, the deflector 214 is selectively fixed to its respective sidewall by a flange 216 and bolts 218. The inner end of the flange 216 is embedded in the respective deflector 214, and its outer end is bolted to the respective sidewall. Attaching the deflector 214 to the respective sidewall allows the deflector to be removed from the chamber 208, thereby enabling cleaning of the interior of the chamber 208 and allowing the nuclear reactor to be moved through the chamber 208 for maintenance or replacement. The numeral 220 refers to the top portion, which can selectively close the top opening 222 formed in the upper wall 202.

[0034] Sometimes it is necessary to repair or replace reactor 80 and heat exchanger 116. In this case, top section 220 is raised to open top opening 222. Subsequently, explosion-proof door 212 is moved to its open position. Typically, deflectors 214 on walls 204 and 206 are removed from explosion chamber 198 to remove reactor 80 and the like from housing member 16. Reactor 80 and the like are then moved through passages 51 and 210, through explosion chamber 208, and outward through top opening 222 for repair or replacement.

[0035] Optional explosion-proof door 212 includes a closing mechanism designed to open 212 when the reactor breaks down due to overpressure and the door is subjected to a predetermined explosion pressure. Reactor breakdown can also cause breakage and damage to other components in housing 16, such as steam generators, turbines, generators, condensers, and support structures. The broken reactor and its associated components impact the explosion-proof door 212, which is opened by the explosive force, allowing debris from the destroyed reactor components and other parts to pass through passages 51 and 210 into the explosion mitigation chamber 208.

[0036] Pressure waves and reactor debris impact the innermost deflector 214 on wall 206, causing a reduction in explosive force. Debris from the reactor and components is redirected to the next deflector 214 on wall 204, then travels back and forth along the deflector 214 until the end of chamber 208, thus reducing explosive force each time debris impacts the front face of deflector 214. Eventually, the explosive force is reduced to a safe level, allowing the top section 220 to be opened to clean the explosion mitigation chamber 208 and the containment structure 16. If reactor vessel 82 overheats, normally closed valve 96 will open, allowing hot fluid from internal compartment 88 of reactor vessel 82 through pipe 94, cooling pipe 139, and pipe 104. Water surrounds pipe 139, cooling the pipe and the fluid within it. Valve 106 will open, allowing cooling fluid from inside pipe 139 to return through pipe 104 and pipe 100 to the bottom of internal compartment 88.

[0037] Therefore, it can be seen that the present invention achieves at least all of its stated objectives.

[0038] Although the invention has been described using specific language regarding 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. Rather, specific aspects and steps are described as forms for implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention exists within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An underground nuclear reactor, comprising: The receiving member includes: (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, the 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 upward from the first end of the bottom wall; (d) An upright second end wall, the 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 upward from the second end of the bottom wall; (f) The second end wall of the receiving member has a channel formed therein; (g) An upright first sidewall, the first sidewall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end; (h) The first sidewall extends upward from the first side of the bottom wall; (i) An upright second sidewall, the second sidewall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end; (j) The second sidewall extends upward from the second side of the bottom wall; (k) Upper wall, the upper wall having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a lower side and an upper side; (l) 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 receiving member defines an internal compartment therebetween; and (m) The upper wall of the receiving member is located below the ground level, thereby the receiving member is completely buried underground; A nuclear reactor vessel, the nuclear reactor vessel being located within the internal compartment of the housing member; The nuclear reactor vessel has an upper end, a lower end, and internal compartments; The lower end of the reactor vessel is located on the upper side of the bottom wall of the housing member; A vertically arranged heat exchanger having an upper end, a lower end, and an internal compartment, wherein the internal compartment of the heat exchanger is located within the internal compartment of the receiving member; The lower end of the heat exchanger is located on the bottom wall of the housing member adjacent to the reactor vessel; A power generation system, located in the internal compartment of the housing member adjacent to the heat exchanger, and driven by the heat exchanger; The power generation system includes a condenser located on the bottom wall of the housing member; A slender, hollow, explosive tunnel, comprising: (a) Bottom wall, the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, an upper side and a lower side; (b) An upright first sidewall extending upward from the first side of the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel, the first sidewall of the explosion tunnel having an upper end, a lower end, a first end, a second end, an inner side, and an outer side; (c) An upright second sidewall extending upward from the second side of the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel, the second sidewall of the explosion tunnel 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, the first end wall of the explosion tunnel having an upper end and a lower end, located at the first end of the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel, and having a channel formed therein, the channel of the explosion tunnel communicating with the channel in the second end wall of the receiving member; (e) Second end wall, the second end wall of the explosion tunnel having an upper end and a lower end, located at the second end of the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel, the second end wall of the explosion tunnel extending between the second end of the first side wall of the explosion tunnel and the second end of the second side wall of the explosion tunnel; (f) The upper wall of the explosion tunnel is located at the upper end of the first end wall of the explosion tunnel, the upper end of the second end wall of the explosion tunnel, the upper end of the first side wall of the explosion tunnel, and the upper end of the second side wall of the explosion tunnel; and (g) The wall of the explosion tunnel defines an explosion chamber, the explosion chamber being configured to receive debris from the nuclear reactor when the nuclear reactor explodes and thereby generates an explosive force extending from the nuclear reactor; (h) a cooling water tank located in the ground adjacent to the nuclear reactor vessel; and (i) A conduit that is in fluid communication with the internal compartment of the reactor vessel and passes through water in the cooling water tank.

2. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pipes, which are in fluid communication with the internal compartments of the reactor vessel and pass through water in the cooling water tank, have one or more flexible relaxation sections formed therein.

3. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The upper wall of the explosion tunnel has a top opening formed therein, wherein the top portion is located on the explosion tunnel and is located in the top opening to normally close the top opening, but the top portion can be selectively moved to an open position.

4. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A plurality of spaced-apart first deflectors are fixed to the inner side of the first sidewall of the explosion tunnel, such that they partially obstruct the path of the debris passing through the explosion tunnel from the first end toward the second end of the explosion tunnel, and a plurality of spaced-apart second deflectors are fixed to the inner side of the second sidewall of the explosion tunnel, such that they partially obstruct the path of the debris passing through the explosion tunnel from the first end toward the second end of the explosion tunnel.

5. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first deflector is vertically arranged and horizontally spaced, and the second deflector is vertically arranged and horizontally spaced.

6. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Each of the first and second deflectors has an angular shape.

7. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The passageway is large enough to allow the nuclear reactor to pass through it for maintenance or replacement.

8. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The top opening is large enough to allow the nuclear reactor to pass through it for maintenance or replacement.

9. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It has an explosion-proof door that is movable between an open and closed position and is located in the passageway to close the passageway when the explosion-proof door is closed.

10. An underground nuclear reactor, comprising: The receiving member includes: (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, the 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 upward from the first end of the bottom wall; (d) An upright second end wall, the 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 upward from the second end of the bottom wall; (f) The second end wall of the receiving member has a channel formed therein; (g) An upright first sidewall, the first sidewall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end; (h) The first sidewall extends upward from the first side of the bottom wall; (i) An upright second sidewall, the second sidewall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end; (j) The second sidewall extends upward from the second side of the bottom wall; (k) Upper wall, the upper wall having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a lower side and an upper side; (l) 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 receiving member defines an internal compartment therebetween; and (m) The upper wall of the receiving member is located below the ground level, so the receiving member is completely buried underground; A movable support member is located in the internal compartment of the receiving member, on the upper side of the bottom wall of the receiving member; The movable support member has an upper side and a lower side; A nuclear reactor vessel, the nuclear reactor vessel being located on the upper side of the movable support member; The nuclear reactor vessel has an upper end, a lower end, and internal compartments; A vertically arranged heat exchanger having an upper end, a lower end, and an internal compartment located in the internal compartment of the housing member; The lower end of the heat exchanger is located on the upper side of the movable support member adjacent to the reactor vessel; A power generation system, which is located on the upper side of the movable support member adjacent to the heat exchanger and is driven by the heat exchanger; The power generation system includes a condenser, which is positioned on the upper side of the movable support member; A slender, hollow, explosive tunnel, comprising: (a) Bottom wall, the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, an upper side and a lower side; (b) An upright first sidewall extending upward from the first side of the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel, the first sidewall of the explosion tunnel having an upper end, a lower end, a first end, a second end, an inner side, and an outer side; (c) An upright second sidewall extending upward from the second side of the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel, the second sidewall of the explosion tunnel 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, the first end wall of the explosion tunnel having an upper end and a lower end, located at the first end of the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel, and having a channel formed therein, the channel of the explosion tunnel communicating with the channel in the second end wall of the receiving member; (e) Second end wall, the second end wall of the explosion tunnel having an upper end and a lower end, located at the second end of the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel, the second end wall of the explosion tunnel extending between the second end of the first side wall of the explosion tunnel and the second end of the second side wall of the explosion tunnel; (f) The upper wall of the explosion tunnel is located at the upper end of the first end wall of the explosion tunnel, the upper end of the second end wall of the explosion tunnel, the upper end of the first side wall of the explosion tunnel, and the upper end of the second side wall of the explosion tunnel; and (g) The wall of the explosion tunnel defines an explosion chamber, the explosion chamber being configured to receive debris from the nuclear reactor when the nuclear reactor explodes and thereby generates an explosive force extending from the nuclear reactor.

11. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 10, characterized in that, Multiple wheels are located on the underside of the movable support member.

12. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The upper wall of the explosion tunnel has a top opening formed therein, wherein the top portion is located on the explosion tunnel and is located in the top opening to normally close the top opening, but the top portion can be selectively moved to an open position.

13. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 10, characterized in that, There is a cooling water tank located on the ground adjacent to the nuclear reactor vessel, wherein pipes are in fluid communication with the internal compartments of the nuclear reactor and pass through water in the cooling water tank.

14. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 13, characterized in that, A portion of the pipes that are in fluid communication with the internal compartments of the nuclear reactor and pass through the water in the cooling tank are flexible and loose.

15. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 10, characterized in that, A plurality of spaced-apart first deflectors are fixed to the inner side of the first sidewall of the explosion tunnel, such that they partially obstruct the path of the debris passing through the explosion tunnel from the first end toward the second end of the explosion tunnel, and a plurality of spaced-apart second deflectors are fixed to the inner side of the second sidewall of the explosion tunnel, such that they partially obstruct the path of the debris passing through the explosion tunnel from the first end toward the second end of the explosion tunnel.

16. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The first deflector is vertically arranged and horizontally spaced, and the second deflector is vertically arranged and horizontally spaced.

17. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 16, characterized in that, Each of the first and second biasing elements has an angular shape.

18. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The passageway is large enough to allow the nuclear reactor to pass through it for maintenance or replacement.

19. An underground nuclear reactor, comprising: The receiving member includes: (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, the 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 upward from the first end of the bottom wall; (d) An upright second end wall, the 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 upward from the second end of the bottom wall; (f) The second end wall of the receiving member has a channel opening formed therein; (g) An upright first sidewall, the first sidewall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end; (h) The first sidewall extends upward from the first side of the bottom wall; (i) An upright second sidewall, the second sidewall having a lower end, an upper end, an inner side, an outer side, a first end, and a second end; (j) The second sidewall extends upward from the second side of the bottom wall; (k) Upper wall, the upper wall having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a lower side and an upper side; (l) 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 receiving member defines an internal compartment therebetween; and (m) The upper wall of the receiving member is located below the ground level, so the receiving member is completely buried underground; A nuclear reactor vessel, the nuclear reactor vessel being located within the internal compartment of the housing member; The nuclear reactor vessel has an upper end, a lower end, and internal compartments; A vertically arranged heat exchanger having an upper end, a lower end, and an internal compartment located in the internal compartment of the housing member; A power generation system, located above the ground level of the housing component, is driven by the heat exchanger; A slender, hollow, explosive tunnel, comprising: (a) Bottom wall, the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, an upper side and a lower side; (b) An upright first sidewall extending upward from the first side of the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel, the first sidewall of the explosion tunnel having an upper end, a lower end, a first end, a second end, an inner side, and an outer side; (c) An upright second sidewall extending upward from the second side of the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel, the second sidewall of the explosion tunnel 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, the first end wall of the explosion tunnel having an upper end and a lower end, located at the first end of the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel, and having a channel formed therein, the channel of the explosion tunnel communicating with the channel in the second end wall of the receiving member; (e) Second end wall, the second end wall of the explosion tunnel having an upper end and a lower end, located at the second end of the bottom wall of the explosion tunnel, the second end wall of the explosion tunnel extending between the second end of the first side wall of the explosion tunnel and the second end of the second side wall of the explosion tunnel; (f) The upper wall of the explosion tunnel is located at the upper end of the first end wall of the explosion tunnel, the upper end of the second end wall of the explosion tunnel, the upper end of the first side wall of the explosion tunnel, and the upper end of the second side wall of the explosion tunnel; and (g) The wall of the explosion tunnel defines an explosion chamber, the explosion chamber being configured to receive debris from the nuclear reactor when the nuclear reactor explodes and thereby generates an explosive force extending from the nuclear reactor; A water tank containing cooling water, located on the ground adjacent to the reactor vessel; and The pipe is in fluid communication with the internal compartment of the reactor vessel and passes through the cooling water in the tank.

20. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 19, characterized in that, A portion of the pipes that are in fluid communication with the internal compartments of the nuclear reactor vessel and pass through the water in the cooling water tank are flexible and loose.

21. The underground nuclear reactor as described in claim 19, characterized in that, The lower ends of the reactor vessel and the heat exchanger are located on a movable support member.

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