Nuclear power plant having a protective superstructure
A nuclear power plant having a protective superstructure including a first end region configured to cover a nuclear reactor in a containment structure, a second end region opposite the first end region and configured to cover a cooling water pump house, and a central region between the first and second end regions and configured to cover a turbine hall. The superstructure has an oval-shaped plan profile, the oval having a greater degree of curvature at the first end region than at the second end region.
1. A nuclear power plant located adjacent to a body of water, the plant comprising, in order of distance from the body of water:
a cooling water pump house,
a turbine hall, and
a nuclear reactor in a containment structure;
the nuclear power plant having a protective superstructure which comprises:
a first end region configured to cover the containment structure,
a second end region opposite the first end region in a longitudinal direction and configured to cover the cooling water pump house, and
a central region between the first and second end regions configured to cover the turbine hall,
wherein the superstructure has an oval-shaped plan profile, the oval having a greater degree of curvature at the first end region than at the second end region.
2. The nuclear power plant of claim 1 , in which the protective superstructure has an arcuate transverse profile so as to form an arch at any point along the superstructure in a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
3. The nuclear power plant of claim 1 , in which the first end region of the protective superstructure has a circular-arcuate profile in the longitudinal direction.
4. The nuclear power plant of claim 1 , in which the central region of the protective superstructure has a tapering longitudinal profile in the longitudinal from the first to the second end region.
5. The nuclear power plant of claim 1 , in which the protective superstructure comprises reinforced concrete shell at the first end region.
6. The nuclear power plant of claim 1 , further comprising a berm surrounding the plant.
7. The nuclear power plant of claim 6 , in which the berm is of arcuate form with an inner edge that is raised relative to an outer edge of the berm.
8. The nuclear power plant of claim 7 , in which the berm contains one or more of the following:
backup power generation facilities;
a transformer system; and
a spent fuel store.
9. The nuclear power plant of claim 1 , wherein the plant is on-shore.