Semi-submersible nuclear power plant and multi-purpose platform
View Patent ↗An offshore, floating, moored, nuclear power generating and multi-purpose platform is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a spar platform with multi-purpose, topside decks, attached to a submerged dry tank that further includes: reactor generator deck(s), power plant main control deck, and central plant deck, that are all integrated within a watertight ballast hull. The invention further includes cells that are modular for facilitating factory assembly and ultimate construction in a shipyard environment. Reactor vessels are typical naval nuclear reactor having a time tested outstanding safety record. A plurality of reactor generator modules operate independently and collectively. Multipurpose topside decks house vessel command, crew, and any ancillary and co-generation equipment. The present invention, constructed in a multi-path manufacturing process, provides exceptional economic, environmental, sustainability, security, safety, and operational benefits to users.
1. A semi-submersible, electrical power generating spar platform, configured with positive buoyancy comprising:
a vertical column defining a vertical axis of the platform;
a topside deck about the vertical column together configured with the positive buoyancy to rise above a sea surface;
a main control deck situated below the topside deck, the main control deck also about the vertical column, the main control deck further housing equipment for command and control of the semi-submersible spar platform;
a reactor generator deck, also about the vertical column for housing a pressurized water nuclear reactor, a steam generator thermally coupled to the reactor and a steam turbine generator for generating electrical power, the reactor generator deck situated below the main control deck;
a heat exchanger configured below the reactor generator deck, the heat exchanger further thermally coupled to a body of water, the heat exchanger being configured below the main control deck and the reactor generator deck;
a cylindrical seawater tank housing said heat exchanger thereby housing the heat exchanger in a wet tank;
a cool seawater effluent configured to the cylindrical seawater tank; and
a cold seawater inlet configured to the cylindrical seawater tank below the cool seawater effluent, wherein the wet tank provides ballast, buoyancy control and stability to the spar platform, wherein the heat exchanger further provides heat transfer to a steam cycle comprising the steam turbine generator, further wherein the vertical column extends down below the sea surface through the main control deck and through the reactor generator deck.
2. The semi-submersible, electrical power generating spar platform, configured with positive buoyancy of claim 1 further comprising:
a variable ballast tank configured inside the cylindrical seawater tank further providing ballast and buoyancy control; and
a fixed ballast configured below the reactor generator deck and below the heat exchanger further providing stability to the spar platform.
3. The semi-submersible, electrical power generating spar platform, configured with positive buoyancy of claim 1 , wherein said vertical column comprises a mechanical chase inside the vertical column providing a conduit for a piping system, wherein the vertical column further comprises an elevator shaft inside the vertical column adjacent to the mechanical chase.
4. The semi-submersible, electrical power generating spar platform, configured with positive buoyancy of claim 1 , further comprising a topside riser coupled between the top side deck and the main control deck, the topside riser configured at sea level so that top side deck is above sea level, the topside riser further including a diameter smaller than a diameter of the top side deck.