Floating Nuclear Power Plants Self-Cool and Survive Tsunamis

Apr-18-14 MIT has proposes a plan for offshore, floating nuclear power plants able to ride out a tsunami and be automatically cooled by seawater.

The design features floating platforms, similar to those used in offshore oil drilling, which would support the nuclear plants. The plants could be built on land, towed to their offshore location, and then anchored in place. And underwater power transmission line would connect the plant to the electrical grid on land. Not only would the plant be able to survive Tsunamis and earthquakes, which are muted a bit by the ocean's depth, the seawater will also provide an immediate source of cooling.

According to Jacopo Buongiorno, Associate Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering who proposed the plan: "It’s very close to the ocean, which is essentially an infinite heat sink, so it’s possible to do cooling passively, with no intervention. The reactor containment itself is essentially underwater."

More Info about this Invention:

[MIT.EDU]
[INHABITAT]

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