Abstract A heat source includes packages or cans of radioactive heatproducing nuclear waste material contained in vertically disposed heating tubes immediately surrounded and cooled by a ''''spare'''' coolant at its boiling temperature which in turn is surrounded by a ''''primary'''' coolant from which useful heat is extracted. Immediately above the primary coolant chamber is an emergency coolant chamber which cools vapors of the boiling liquid when an increase in heat caused by interruption of primary cooling causes an increase in the temperature of the boiling liquid so that vapors therefrom rise into a zone cooled by the emergency coolant. Heat pipes having a portion in thermal contact with the top of heating tubes and a portion exposed to the atmosphere are provided as also are fused which permit the radioactive material to drop into a canal beneath the normal heat source zone should all other means for removing heat fail.
A heat source comprising at least one sealed vertically disposed heater tube containing a boiling liquid pressurized by an inert noncondensable gas, at least one capsule containing solidified radioactive waste material suspended within each of said heater tubes and immersed in said boiling liquid, a heater box containing a primary coolant surrounding said heater tubes, the heater tubes extending above and below the heater box, means for extracting heat from said primary coolant, a backup coolant box containing emergency coolant surrounding said heater tubes immediately above said heater box and means for extracting heat from said emergency coolant, said heater tube being pressurized by the inert gas so that under normal operating conditions the interface zone between the inert gas and the vapors of the boiling liquid falls between the heater box and the backup coolant box.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A heat source comprising at least one sealed vertically disposed heater tube containing a boiling liquid pressurized by an inert noncondensable gas, at least one capsule containing solidified radioactive waste material suspended within each of said heater tubes and immersed in said boiling liquid, a heater box containing a primary coolant surrounding said heater tubes, the heater tubes extending above and below the heater box, means for extracting heat from said primary coolant, a backup coolant box containing emergency coolant surrounding said heater tubes immediately above said heater box and means for extracting heat from said emergency coolant, said heater tube being pressurized by the inert gas so that under normal operating conditions the interface zone between the inert gas and the vapors of the boiling liquid falls between the heater box and the backup coolant box.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
Heat source according to claim 1 wherein the capsules are supported by support rods including a fusible metal section and including a canal containing a coolant liquid compatible with the boiling liquid disposed below the heater box with the lower end of the heater tubes immersed in the coolant liquid in the canal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
Heat source according to claim 1 and including heat pipes in thermal contact with the top of the heater tubes and extending out into the atmosphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Heat source according to claim 3 and including a shock absorber in the bottom of the heater tubes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
Heat source according to claim 4 wherein the means for extracting heat from the primary coolant include a heat exchanger producing steam and a steam turbine utilizing said steam to produce useful power.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Heat source according to claim 5 and including means for removing heat from the primary coolant when the steam turbine is closed down.