Abstract: A system for containing a nuclear reactor is disclosed. The system includes a nuclear containment structure comprising a plurality of metallic rings stacked axially to form the nuclear containment structure. The nuclear containment structure includes a central chamber that comprises a volume enclosed by the inner wall of each of the plurality of metallic rings, and also includes a plurality of auxiliary chambers. The central chamber encloses a nuclear reactor vessel, wherein the inner wall of the plurality of metallic rings is flush with the nuclear reactor vessel. Cooling channels also exist within the nuclear containment structure. The nuclear containment structure is configured to shield the nuclear reactor vessel from kinetic events originating external from the nuclear containment structure and to shield an external environment from kinetic events within the nuclear reactor vessel.

Abstract: One variation of a system includes: a nuclear reactor; a shield arranged about the nuclear reactor; a metallic coolant; and a set of melt seals. The nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel and nuclear fuel arranged within a lower region of the pressure vessel. The metallic coolant includes a mixture of metals and is configured to: occupy a liquid state within an operating temperature range; occupy an interstitial volume between the nuclear reactor and the shield; and occupy the lower region of the pressure vessel encompassing the nuclear fuel. The set of melt seals are arranged on the pressure vessel and configured to open to enable transfer of a volume of the metallic coolant from the interstitial volume into the lower region of the pressure vessel in response to temperatures within the pressure vessel exceeding the operating temperature range.

Abstract: A structure and process for containing a nuclear reaction is disclosed. The structure and process may involve a nuclear containment structure including a plurality of metallic rings stacked axially to form the nuclear containment structure, the nuclear containment structure being configured to: mitigate, by using a physical barrier, the movement of radionuclides from inside a containment structure to a surrounding space; shield, by varying the alloy properties throughout the containment structure, an exterior of the containment structure from radiation produced inside of the containment structure; regulate, by transferring thermal energy, a temperature within the containment structure; regulate, by storing thermal energy, the temperature within the containment structure; shield, components within the nuclear containment structure from kinetic events external to the nuclear containment structure; and shield, the external environment, from kinetic events within the nuclear containment structure.

Abstract: One variation of a system includes: a nuclear reactor; a shield arranged about the nuclear reactor; a metallic coolant; and a set of melt seals. The nuclear reactor includes a pressure vessel and nuclear fuel arranged within a lower region of the pressure vessel. The metallic coolant includes a mixture of metals and is configured to: occupy a liquid state within an operating temperature range; occupy an interstitial volume between the nuclear reactor and the shield; and occupy the lower region of the pressure vessel encompassing the nuclear fuel. The set of melt seals are arranged on the pressure vessel and configured to open to enable transfer of a volume of the metallic coolant from the interstitial volume into the lower region of the pressure vessel in response to temperatures within the pressure vessel exceeding the operating temperature range.