Nuclear reactor module

Abstract

A part-built nuclear reactor module 100 comprises a containment structure 12 housing therein nuclear reactor equipment 18 mounted to formwork 30. At least one concrete supply pipe 36 is provided that extends from outside of the containment structure 12 to the formwork 30. The formwork 30 can be filled with concrete through the concrete supply pipe 36 to form a concrete support structure 16 for the nuclear reactor equipment 18. A method for constructing a nuclear reactor module 10 is also provided.

1 . A part-built nuclear reactor module, comprising:
 a containment structure housing therein nuclear reactor equipment mounted to formwork; and   at least one concrete supply pipe extending from outside of the containment structure to the formwork;   wherein the formwork can be filled with concrete through the concrete supply pipe to form a concrete support structure for the nuclear reactor equipment.   
     
     
         2 . A part-built nuclear reactor module according to  claim 1 , wherein the nuclear reactor equipment comprises a nuclear reactor vessel and/or a steam generator and/or a pressuriser and/or an accumulator and/or monitoring sensors and/or control circuitry and/or at least part of a coolant circuit. 
     
     
         3 . A part-built nuclear reactor module according to  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the formwork is permanent. 
     
     
         4 . A part-built nuclear reactor module according to  claim 1 , wherein the formwork comprises reinforcement bars and/or reinforcement plates. 
     
     
         5 . A part-built nuclear reactor module according to  claim 1 , wherein the formwork defines a plurality of voids, each arranged to be filled with concrete through a concrete supply pipe. 
     
     
         6 . A part-built nuclear reactor module according to  claim 5 , wherein each void is provided with a separate concrete supply pipe. 
     
     
         7 . A part-built nuclear reactor module according to  claim 6 , wherein each concrete supply pipe extends towards the bottom of the respective void. 
     
     
         8 . A part-built nuclear reactor module according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one removable support that temporarily supports at least some of the nuclear reactor equipment during transportation. 
     
     
         9 . A part-built nuclear reactor module according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one removable brace that temporarily supports at least some of the formwork during transportation. 
     
     
         10 . A part-built nuclear reactor module according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each concrete supply pipe is detachable from the module such that after the formwork has been filled with concrete the or each supply pipe can be removed. 
     
     
         11 . A part-built nuclear reactor module according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one vent pipe extending from the formwork to the outside of the containment structure for venting dust and/or gases to the atmosphere. 
     
     
         12 . A part-built nuclear reactor module according to  claim 1 , wherein the containment structure comprises a roof which is supported by at least one concrete supply pipe or vent pipe at least during transportation. 
     
     
         13 . A part-built nuclear reactor module according to  claim 1 , wherein the formwork comprises at least one void having a structural void and an expansion void disposed above the structural void with a structural support plate having at least one hole therein disposed therebetween, wherein the void is arranged to be filled with concrete above the structural support plate such that the structural void is filled with structural concrete which can support a load applied to the structural support plate. 
     
     
         14 . A part-built nuclear reactor module according to  claim 13 , further comprising at least one vent pipe extending from the expansion void to outside of the containment structure for venting dust and/or gases to the atmosphere. 
     
     
         15 . A nuclear reactor module constructed from a part-built nuclear reactor in accordance with  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A method of constructing a nuclear reactor module, comprising:
 filling formwork which has nuclear reactor equipment mounted thereto and which is housed within a containment structure with concrete through a concrete supply pipe which extends from outside of the containment structure to the formwork, thereby forming a concrete support structure for the nuclear reactor equipment.   
     
     
         17 . A method of constructing a nuclear reactor module according to  claim 16 , further comprising removing at least one removable support that temporarily supports at least some of the nuclear reactor equipment during transportation. 
     
     
         18 . A method of constructing a nuclear reactor module according to  claim 16 , further comprising removing at least one removable brace that temporarily supports at least some of the formwork during transportation. 
     
     
         19 . A method of constructing a nuclear reactor module according to  claim 16 , further comprising detaching the or each concrete supply pipe after the formwork has been filled with concrete and removing the or each concrete supply pipe from the containment structure, 
     
     
         20 . A method of constructing a nuclear reactor module according to  claim 16 , wherein the formwork comprises at least one void having a structural void and an expansion void disposed above the structural void with a structural support plate having at least one hole therein disposed therebetween, further comprising filling the void with concrete to a level above the structural support plate such that the structural void is filled with structural concrete which can support a load applied to the structural support plate.