Nuclear power plant having a primary core catcher surrounded by a secondary core catcher

Abstract

A nuclear power plant has a nuclear reactor including a reactor pressure vessel which houses plural fuel rods containing fissile material. The nuclear power plant further has means for submerging the reactor pressure vessel in water and thereby water-cooling the reactor pressure vessel in the event of an emergency requiring cooling of the nuclear reactor. The nuclear power plant further has a primary core catcher outwardly of the reactor pressure vessel, the primary core catcher being formed of a material suitable for retaining molten corium in the event corium escapes the reactor pressure vessel. The nuclear power plant further has secondary core catcher outwardly of the primary core catcher, the secondary core catcher lining a tank which is water-filled in normal use of the plant to submerge and thereby water-cool the primary core catcher. The secondary core catcher is also is formed of a material suitable for retaining molten corium in the event corium escapes the primary core catcher.