Atmospheric retention passive system for nuclear buildings

Abstract

The passive system is suitable for prefabrication and installation as a variable volume unit enclosing industrial components, systems, buildings and structures at operating light water reactors without interference with the design basis operations and performance of the buildings, structures, systems and components enclosed. This invention removes the energy from residual heat and hydrogen generation accumulated inside the containment buildings and spent fuel pool buildings challenged by over temperature and over pressure during severe accidents, while encapsulating the radioactive atmospheric fallout, condensing steam by heat exchange with the atmosphere and retaining the resulting water coolant. This invention also encapsulates design basis accidents releases such as the release of radioactive steam through hardened venting systems to the atmosphere, and the release of radioactive steam through containment bypass systems to the atmosphere.

1 . A passive system suitable for prefabrication and installation as a variable volume unit enclosing industrial components, systems, buildings or structures such as nuclear reactor containment buildings and nuclear spent fuel pool buildings. 
     
     
         2 . A passive system according to  claim 1 , wherein said unit comprises one or more retention covers, and one or more anchoring modules. 
     
     
         3 . A passive system according to  claim 1 , wherein said unit is installed and can operate without interference with the design basis operations and performances of said enclosed industrial components, systems, buildings or structures. 
     
     
         4 . A passive system according to  claim 1 , wherein said variable volume unit operates only from the energy enclosed in said unit and gravity, without human intervention or active component. 
     
     
         5 . A passive system according to  claim 1 , wherein said variable volume unit high velocity deployment encapsulates high energy vapors, gases, steam, particulate matters and debris otherwise enclosed in said industrial components, systems, buildings or structures. 
     
     
         6 . A passive system according to  claim 1 , wherein said enclosing unit transfers the energy otherwise enclosed in said industrial components, systems, buildings or structures to the atmosphere, cooling off encapsulated gases and particulate matters, condensing steam and vapors and retaining water and liquids inside said variable volume unit.