Abstract: An arrangement passively cools a nuclear reactor in the event of an emergency, condensing and recycling vaporized cooling water. The reactor is surrounded by a containment structure and has a storage tank for cooling liquid, such as water, vented to the containment structure by a port. The storage tank preferably is located inside the containment structure and is thermally coupleable to the reactor, e.g. by a heat exchanger, such that water in the storage tank is boiled off to carry away heat energy. The water is released as a vapor (steam) and condenses on the cooler interior surfaces of the containment structure. The condensed water flows downwardly due to gravity and is collected and routed back to the storage tank. One or more gutters are disposed along the interior wall of the containment structure for collecting the condensate from the wall. Piping is provided for communicating the condensate from the gutters to the storage tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in conjunction with a passive nuclear reactor containment cooling system to significantly reduce the release of radiation and resulting off-site doses is disclosed. Gases that may contain radioactive materials are drawn from a penetration room and pass through a filter prior to being fed into the passive containment airflow path. Low pressure areas are created in the passive containment airflow path by means of eductor/airfoils. Such low pressure zones draw the gases from the penetration rooms.