Floating Nuclear Plant Seismic Isolation via Artificial Lake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nuclear power plants are vulnerable to seismic activity, which can cause structural failure and release of radioactive materials, as well as loss of cooling water, posing risks from both ground seismic waves and tsunami-induced flooding at coastal locations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a concrete-reinforced artificial lake with a floating nuclear power plant, utilizing shock absorbers and wave dampeners to isolate the plant from seismic waves, and redundant cooling systems to maintain continuous safe reactor cooling, including an on-site cooling source and automatic shutdown capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If nuclear power plants are located near larger bodies of water for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but vulnerability to tsunami damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an artificial lake as an intermediary cooling body between the nuclear plant and the natural environment. This controlled water body provides cooling water while being surrounded by protective walls that prevent tsunami infiltration, thus decoupling the plant from direct tsunami exposure while maintaining cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cooling function from reliance on natural coastal bodies of water and creates a self-contained artificial lake system. By taking out the dependency on natural water bodies, the plant eliminates tsunami vulnerability while preserving the essential cooling function through the artificial lake.
2Stability of the object's composition
If nuclear power plants are built on fixed land structures, then structural stability is improved, but susceptibility to ground seismic waves increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a fixed land-based structure to a floating vessel platform, introducing dynamic adaptability to seismic conditions. The floating structure can move and adjust its position in response to seismic waves, reducing the transmission of ground vibrations to the reactor while maintaining operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary layer between the ground and the nuclear plant. By placing the plant on a floating vessel in an artificial lake, the water acts as a buffer that isolates the plant from direct contact with ground seismic waves, thereby reducing seismic susceptibility while maintaining structural stability.
3Quantity of substance
If coastal locations are used for nuclear power plants, then access to cooling water is improved, but risk of tsunami-induced flooding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling water source from the natural coastal environment and creates a self-contained artificial lake. This extracted water body provides sufficient cooling water without exposing the plant to tsunami-induced flooding from the open ocean, as the lake is enclosed by protective walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial lake serves as an intermediary water reservoir that provides cooling water while being physically isolated from tsunami infiltration by surrounding walls. This intermediary structure maintains cooling water availability while preventing tsunami-induced flooding.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If floating structure is used for nuclear plant, then isolation from ground waves is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The floating vessel structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides isolation from ground waves, supports the nuclear reactor, enables movement with seismic activity, and facilitates cooling water intake from the lake. By consolidating these functions into a single floating platform, the patent reduces overall structural complexity compared to separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the isolation function, support function, and cooling function into a single integrated floating vessel system. By combining these functions rather than using separate structures, the design achieves ground wave isolation while managing structural complexity through functional integration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively protects nuclear power plants from seismic events by isolating them from ground waves and providing a reliable cooling source, reducing the risk of radioactive material release and ensuring continuous operation during seismic activity.
Implementation Method 1
The vessel is connected to the walls or banks of the lake with a plurality of shock absorbers to dampen movement of the vessel
Implementation Method 2
shock absorbers to dampen movement
Implementation Method 3
At least one vessel floats on the surface of the water
Implementation Method 4
use liquid separation to isolate the ground seismic waves from direct contact to the reactor
Implementation Method 5
at least one cooling tower that receives cooling water from the lake
Implementation Method 6
continuous safe reactor cooling maintained
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method isolate a nuclear power plant from effects of seismic action. An artificial lake is formed as a depressed area in the ground surrounded by walls or banks to constrain a volume of water within the depressed area. The lake has a concrete reinforced bed. The lake is surrounded by a land-based support area. The lake is filled from a source of water in liquid communication with the lake. The source is controlled to release water into the lake to maintain the lake at a selected level. At least one vessel floats on the surface of the water. The vessel is connected to the walls or banks of the lake with a plurality of shock absorbers to dampen movement of the vessel. A nuclear power plant erected on the vessel includes at least one cooling tower that receives cooling water from the lake.