NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

A nuclear power installation is disclosed in which the neutron-multiplying cell is designed as a subcritical blanket (2) with a neutron-producing target (3) in its centre; the blanket is divided into sections by the neutron gate (4) and enclosed in an appropriate protective compartment (5). Each target (3) is connected to a corresponding ion accelerator (6). Each cell (1) is connected to input (7) and output (8) collectors. The output collector (8) is connected via the heat-exchange steam generator (9) and main circulating pump (10) to the input collector (7). The heat-exchange steam generator (9) is connected to the turbine assembly (11) and electrical generator (12). Each neutron gate (4) is designed in the form of a solid annular cylinder and consists of a thermal neutron absorber (e.g. 2-5 cm thick boron), a fast neutron moderator (e.g. 15-50 cm thick carbon), the thermal neutron absorbing layer being the one closer to the target (3). Each accelerator (6) produces an ion beam, e.g. of deuterons, with an energy range of 30-200 MeV; the beam is used to irradiate the appropriate (lithium or beryllium) target (3), thereby producing a stream of primary neutrons which are multiplied in the first (central) section of each of the six subcritical blankets (2) and, via the neutron gate (4), enter the second (peripheral) section, which is also subcritical and neutron-multiplying. The neutron multiplying sections of the blanket (2) have a fairly hard neutron spectrum to ensure that neutrons pass the gate (4) with the minimum of absorption on their way from the target. In the opposite direction towards the center of the blanket (2), the passage of neutrons is reduced by 10-to hundred-fold by the structure of the gate (4) which ensures the successive moderation and capture of neutrons.