DE1154578B - Process for harnessing thermal energy from exothermic nuclear reactions - Google Patents

Description

Process for harnessing thermal energy from exothermic nuclear reactions The invention relates to a technically useful and economical process to utilize the energy released by nuclear reactions in such a way that that the energy of nuclear fission or fusion devices (bombs) can captivate by detonating them underground. This serves the mass of the earth surrounding the explosion point to absorb the explosion pressure.

One of the difficulties with such explosions is the one that occurs very strong shock wave. Most nuclear reactions release energy around 2 to 3 times that of a major earthquake, and it has been estimated that About 5011 / o of this energy spreads in the shock wave. Without any special precautions This shock wave can cause the earth's surface to move between 0.9 and 6 m. Such a disruption of the earth's crust makes it necessary that facilities are made usable the thermal energy in such explosions by heating liquids or Gases either cavities of extremely massive construction for the said explosion must contain so that these spaces withstand the shock wave, or that the actual energy conversion system a large piece, z. B. 32 km. from the explosion site must be housed away. A relocation of these systems from the explosion site away, however, is highly undesirable as it requires a great deal of piping, etc. and with considerable losses of energy from the heated gaseous or liquid Transmission media is connected.

Another difficulty lies in making it expedient and economical A way to utilize the energy that is suddenly released during the explosion to find the bombs that release a steady energy over long periods of time away. Without special arrangements, a large part of the suddenly arising Energy wasted uselessly.

In the method according to the invention one relocates. explosive Nuclear reactions underground. The resulting heat is in the depth of the The earth's crust is stored and then brought to the surface of the earth by a heat transfer medium. The special feature is that the nuclear reaction device in a partial water-filled cavity in a thermally insulating rock layer is caused to explode and that after this explosion at least one Part of the heated water or the resulting water vapor to the earth's surface is brought. This way of utilizing the energy released is eliminated all of the above and other difficulties. You can get nuclear power this way win in a practically usable form, the cost being far lower than when generating energy from common fuels.

It is already a process for harnessing nuclear energy become known, but one works with this known method with an under slower nuclear transformation acting nuclear reactor in which at least part of the Accumulated heat is fed to the grown earth arc, which it can later be used as required is removed again for use. This way of working is therefore controlled Reaction exploited for heat generation while in the present process an uncontrolled explosion caused by laying in great depths of the earth under storage the suddenly arising heat is made harmless. In addition, what has become known Process carried out in a dry room, whereas in the present case the Presence of water is an essential feature. One can even with the present method, additional water after the explosion insert into the cavity. In any case, it is essential that the explosion in one underground cavity of a compact and sufficiently thick geological layer expires, with the suddenly released energy practically completely in the next Near the explosion zone is retained so that the water is heated or highly is converted into more or less tensioned steam. The water is then in known manner supplied to any use, z. B. in a heating system, for a power plant, for oil production, for chemical reactions or in a similar way.

In practice, one proceeds here in such a way that one opens the cavity for the explosion connects to the surface through a shaft that closed during the explosion and that the heated water or steam can then be supplied through this shaft lets the surface step and makes it usable there.

For the explosion itself it is recommended that the cavity be in such a. Depth below the earth's surface, which is calculated according to the following equation: D = KE ° t in which D is the distance in m - 0.3, K is a constant of 2000 to 4000, E is the energy of the reaction device in megatons and n one Means exponents in the amount of 0.1 to 0.5.

The cavity can have a diameter of 9 to 60 m as well as a length which corresponds to 30 to 100 times its diameter.

The nuclear reaction itself can be both a nuclear fission and a Be nuclear fusion. The energy output that occurs here and must be calculated in advance should be as sufficient as possible to convert all the water present in the cavity into steam.

To the method of the invention as advantageously as possible continuously To be able to run, it is advisable to have several shafts or Drill holes in the underground layer, a cavity under each of the shafts to form the first cavity through a first communicating with it Fill the shaft at least partially with water and one below the shaft Introduce nuclear reaction device into this first cavity when it explodes enough energy is released to convert the water into steam. Then you close the shaft from the atmosphere and brings the nuclear reaction facility to Explosion. Then the cavity is tapped and at least part of the steam is drawn and utilizes its usable energy, whereby the steam cools down and condenses. The condensed water is then expediently introduced into a second cavity until the first cavity no longer contains sufficient usable steam. Subsequently leads if a second nuclear reaction device is placed in the second cavity, it is introduced there to the explosion and thereby converts the condensation water again into steam, pulls part of this vapor from the second cavity removes the usable from it Energy and leads the condensed water into another cavity, e.g. B. in the first. In this way there is a constant supply of steam through the energy the explosion guaranteed.

The geological layer for the explosion cavities is appropriate a layer of salt. Such salt layers are mostly upwardly through bar overlays impermeable sediment layers are protected against the ingress of water and have a fairly homogeneous chemical composition. In many cases these have layers of salt the shape of a so-called salt dome, d. H. one under the mountain pressure bulge pushed up, the height of which can be quite significant.

Usually these salt layers and salt domes consist of compounds, which occur notably at high temperatures and pressures, such as those as a result of nuclear reactions occur, regenerate by themselves, d. i.e., the radiolytic decay products of Salts combine fairly easily in a separated state after nuclear transformation again, even in the presence of foreign substances. There is also at least one large one Part of the constituents of the salt layers from water-soluble compounds.

The salt domes are generally frustoconical in shape and reach from their apex to depths of about 1000 m. Their diameters are between about 750 and up to more than 6000 m. They usually contain over 901 / o sodium chloride, while the other constituents of the layering are potassium chloride, calcium chloride and occluded calcium sulfate and calcium or magnesium carbonate. The salt in the domes is dry in texture; the domes are also practically free of natural cavities. The table salt has a low thermal conductivity and a melting point less than about 815 ° C; it also acts as a good heat insulating layer for the blast. Furthermore, sodium and chlorine yield under the influence of neutron radiation radioactive isotopes with relatively short halves or with extraordinarily long halves; z. B. the half-life of the isotope Na ° -4 is only hours; the the same applies to chlorine, of which z. B. the isotope C138 has half that only is measured after minutes, during the half-way point of C136 hundreds of thousands of years amounts to.

Another advantage of the salt domes is that the bars are located on top of each other Sediment layers can be easily pierced, so that the system of the shafts or Drilling holes from the surface is quite possible, and that one can also use the shafts can advance in the salt layer to any desired depth. Advantageous at The salt layers are also that you can easily pass through the cavities in them Can produce leaching with water.

Of course you can also use other geological layers to manufacture use the cavities, e.g. B. sufficiently thick limestone layers, but also other sedimentary layers or volcanic and metamorphic layers, one being can also use other means, e.g. B. with limestone layers a chemical Dissolution with acid or in other cases mechanical processing or the Exposure to explosions of graduated strength.

When preparing the cavities for the core explosions, one fills these rooms with water up to 25 to 75% of their capacity, while the rest with a low density gas, e.g. B. is filled with air. To bring in the nuclear reaction facility serve either central, approximately perpendicular sunk shafts, with the nuclear reaction facility roughly in the middle Third of the cavities are generally at least 60m below the surface of the water, or also shafts and bores running laterally from the cavity at the beginning.

Are the cavities in a salt dome and are they leached out Made with water in it, it may also be useful before the explosion 1.5 to 251 / o of the void volume to be filled with lumpy solids after so much of the saline solution formed during leaching is withdrawn from the cavity has that at least 60% of the cavity volume remain free.

When creating the cavities in layers of salt. into which one from above penetrates with a shaft, it is recommended that the cavities below the Shaft have an elongated vertical shape. When the nuclear reaction facility is detonated in the middle of the cavity, one can determine the strength dimensioned this explosion so that the salt dissolves in the explosion zone and a sump of the molten salt forms at the bottom of the cavity. On that if you bring further liquid water into contact with this molten salt, whereby it is converted into steam, which is then continuously withdrawn from the cavity and a system for utilizing the thermal energy.

You can also drill a second shaft from the surface of the earth, z. B. laterally of the opening at the upper end of the cavity first shaft. This second one Shaft then opens approximately at the lower end of the cavity and is used after the In the explosion, more water is injected into the cavity, followed by the emerging Steam at least part of the way through the first duct to the Erdob; subtracted will. But you can also enter a third shaft from the surface of the earth Drill into the cavity in such a way that it is at the top of the cavity above of the first shaft (which in this case did not hit the apex of the cavity hat) opens into the cavity. After the explosion, water will then pass through the first Shaft into the lower part of the cavity and through the second shaft into the the upper part of it was introduced at such speeds that the one below was introduced Water is heated sufficiently to continuously generate superheated steam, whereupon if necessary, this superheated steam by direct heat exchange with that Water cools that enters through the third shaft.

The heat transfer medium brought to the surface of the earth, i.e. water or the water vapor can be fed into a power generation plant, e.g. Am a power plant powered by steam turbines. The condensation water or after passage Steam, which has become less energetic due to the turbines, can be stored in a guide a second subterranean cavity, if one is provided. To Accumulation of a sufficient amount of the liquid or gas there can then as stated above, cause an explosion in the second cavity. If after that the energy of this second explosion has been harnessed, one conducts that lower-energy water or steam returns to the first cavity and repeats the whole process. In this way one can always have new energy in the cycle generate that are exploited in one or more jointly operated recovery plants will. In this way, the bursting energy of the explosion becomes continuous made usable.

Details of the method will now be given below with reference to the drawings which deal with some preferred embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an installation for execution the procedure; Fig. 2 shows a larger elevation and section through a part the schematic view of FIG. 1, showing the development of an underground Cavity explained; Figs. 3 and 4 are schematic sectional drawings showing a illustrate another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 shows an arrangement with two cavities, which alternate as explosion chambers and for storing the consumed Serve liquid or vapor.

In Fig. 1 is an isolated underground, compact, permanent geological salt layer, e.g. B. a salt dome 10 shown, at least above of other layers of earth, e.g. B. sedimentary rocks, is covered. From the surface of the earth 12, one and preferably several shafts are drilled into the salt dome 10, e.g. B. 14, 16 and 18. According to known methods, water is drawn into each of the wells 14-18 injected to create underground cavities of a certain capacity in the salt dome 10 to manufacture, e.g. B. the cavities 14 ', 16' and 18 '.

Fig. 1 shows three cavities, but it goes without saying that any desired number of cavities is possible; if you have continuous steam generation however, you need at least two cavities.

Each of the shafts 14 to 18 has pressure regulators on the Surface of the earth. For example, high pressure valves 22, 24 and 26 are of such type provided that can withstand a pressure of up to about 1050 kg / cm22 without any adverse effect.

Branch lines 30, 32 and, controlled by valves 38, 4.0 and 42 34 lead from the high pressure valves 22 to 26 to a discharge line 4.6 and a valve 45, which is connected to an above-ground system to utilize the in the cavities 14 ' to 18 'generated heat. Examples of such aboveground Systems are heating systems, chemical processing systems, e.g. B. Steam cracking systems of petroleum hydrocarbons, electrical power plants, etc. In some cases it can it may be advantageous to use water (i.e. hot liquid Water and steam) or part thereof through a heat recovery system 48 conduct, the design of which is described in more detail below. For this one opens a valve 49 in a branch line 47 and lets the desired amount of the heated Water of the system 48 flow. The water or steam flow more fully or partial delivery of their energy from the system 48 through a line 50, which leads to the branch lines 52 and 53 controlled by valves 55 and 56.

Is z. B. heated water within the cavities 14 'to 18' until sufficient generation of steam, at least a portion of the steam can be withdrawn through the line 46 to generate electricity. The steam then flows directly from the line 46 through the opened valve 59 into a branch line 58, which leads to a turbine 60, which is used as a drive machine for a generator 62 for generating alternating or direct current. Another possibility is to close the valve 59 and open the valves 49 and 56 so that the steam from the line 46 through the line 47 to a processing plant 48 and from there through the lines 50, 53 and 58 to the generator 60 flows.

The steam from the turbine 60 which has been used up or has become less energy-intensive can be used further in any desired manner. For example, it can be passed through a line 64 into a condenser 66, where it is liquefied, or it can be discharged into the open through a line 71 controlled by a valve 73. Preferably, however, the water will be circulated, that is to say the water and the remaining steam from the turbine are fed from the condenser 66 via a line 68 to the collector 70. All still uncondensed gases and vapors pass from the collector 70 via a line 72 into a chimney which is designed in such a way that any radioactivity therein is safely rendered harmless. The condensed water flows back through a line 74 with a pump 75 into an underground cavity. For this purpose, the branch lines 76, 78 and 80 are provided after the shafts 14 to 18; the branch lines 76-80 are controlled by valves 84, 86 and 88.

As an example it is assumed that the salt dome 10 has a horizontal diameter of about 3.2 km in the middle of the cavities. The shafts 14 to 18 have been drilled into the salt dome 10 from the surface 12 at the desired depth and then widened to form cavities 14 'to 18'.

According to FIG. 2, a shaft designated 14 is drilled into the salt dome 10 to the desired depth. An insert pipe 104 with cement 105 is inserted inside the shaft bore. The shaft 14 goes even further into the depth below the insert pipe 104. Within the insert tube 104, a tube with a smaller diameter is also attached, which initially protrudes downward from the insert tube 104 with an extension 107 (shown in dashed lines). Water that is not yet saturated with the compound to be leached (i.e. NaCl) is now pumped through the inner tube 106 and its extension 107 into the salt of the dome 10, so that the salt forms a cavity there by dissolving. The resulting brine is drawn off through the annular space between the insert tube 104 and the inner tube 106. In this way, a cavity 14 ′ of the desired depth and diameter can be produced in the dome 10 by dissolving an appropriate amount of salt. After the cavity 14 'has been produced, the extension tube 107 is pulled out.

To eliminate the excess brine from manufacturing of the cavity 14 'originates from the dissolution of salt in the dome 10, one can in the Introduce a pressurized gas into cavity 14 ', the extension tube being correspondingly deep must reach down, or the liquor is pumped up with pumps that are in the depths of the Are used cavity.

To produce the cavity, one can use a single leaching shaft instead of a single leaching shaft also provide several shafts.

After completion of the leaching, the cavity is filled, if necessary, with saturated brine up to the desired level or leaves the resulting Lye in the appropriate amount.

The size of the cavity 14 'and its depth from the surface of the earth is dependent on the size of the nuclear reactor, the extent to which the water is to be heated and the level of constant pressure that is to be created in the cavity 14' . Since the amount of energy released by a nuclear reaction device of a given type can be calculated and since the amount of heat required to heat a certain amount of water to a certain temperature and pressure is also known, the size of the cavity 14 'can easily be determined.

Do you want to z. B. produce 370 ° C warm steam under about 210 kg / cm2 pressure and use a 1 megaton nuclear reactor for that, so the cavity should be about 0.212 - 108 m3. If the cavity is approximately cylindrical, it has then expediently a depth of about 1260 m and an average diameter of about 144 m. Another cylindrical cavity 3000 m deep would have to be on average have a diameter of about 93 m.

After the cavity has been created, all the brine that has formed is drawn off or part of it. For example, the desired amount of water that is in should remain in the cavity, 0.0144 - 108 m3 = 14.4 - 108 hl. In this In this case, about 6,719 / o of the cavity is filled with the salt water.

It is true that some of the salt water remaining in the cavity 14 ′ can be of the water remaining after the cave was formed, but it is assumed here that that the leach water is practically completely removed, leaving a dry cavity obtained, in which one then before and partly also after the actuation of the nuclear reaction device introduces a certain amount of fresh water.

When we talk about water here, we mean liquid water, while the space above the liquid water is water vapor and / or air or others Contains gaseous substances that replace the water that is pressed out or withdrawn to have. Preferably the liquid water in the cavity should have a pH of at least about 7.5, and preferably from about 8 to 9. The liquid water you should therefore preferably about 0.0001 to 0.01 percent by weight of a base, such as sodium or calcium hydroxide.

It is common to denote the size of a nuclear reaction facility by the energy it delivers. A nuclear reaction facility e.g. B. that releases an amount of energy that would be equivalent to that of a megaton of TNT. (Trinitrotoluene) corresponds to the amount of usable energy achieved, is appropriately referred to as a 1 megaton bomb and provides 1-01 '' calories. On this basis, about 7 to 35 m3 of cavity and about 71.5 to 358 hl of water are anticipated for each ton equivalent of the nuclear reaction facility. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the required amount of water can be pumped into the cavity 14 ′ by a pump 112 which is connected to the well 14 by means which are shown schematically in the drawing and designated 114. The nuclear reaction device is then allowed to descend through the shaft 14 into the cavity 14 'and the shaft 14 is closed off from the atmosphere, e.g. B. by closing all valves in the device 114 at the top of the shaft. A suitable plug or sealant 116 can also be inserted into the inner tube 106 near the lower end thereof. In this case, the plug 115 can be fastened to the lower end of the inner tube 106 and, with a corresponding tube length, can reach close to the lower end of the insert tube 1®4. You can also pull out the inner tube 106 and fill at least the lower end of the insert tube 104 above the plug (z. B. the lower 300 to 900 m) with a solid or solidifying material or building material, e.g. B. with gravel, cement, plastics and the like.

The nuclear reaction device can be inserted into the cavity in any desired manner 14 'are introduced, e.g. B. through the plug 116 or before its introduction. It can also hang down from a cable (not shown in the drawing). In addition, devices for igniting the nuclear reaction devices become one provide a predetermined time in advance or an electrical cable from a detonation mechanism located above the earth's surface goes out.

After the nuclear reaction equipment has been ignited, the ones used for this purpose are used Cavities, e.g. B. 14 ', again through the associated shafts 14 or by others (not shown here) shafts accessible directly from the earth's surface are drilled into cavity 14 '.

Such facilities are used for the core transformation, which use their entire available energy practically within no more than about a minute Reaching the critical point released by the conversion.

The fuels of the nuclear reaction facilities can consist of fissile components, of fusible components or both. The fuels should be as cheap as possible and, if possible, only be waste isotopes. The following table lists some useful fuels, the reaction products that can be obtained from them and the amounts of energy Q released: Usable exothermic nuclear reactions Response Q in meV 1. P # (n, x) D = .............. 2.230 ± 0.005 2. D2 (n, a) T -; .............. 6.25 ± 0.008 @. D '- (p, a) He. ............ 5.50 ± 0.03 4. D = (d, p) T3 ............. 4.030 ± 0.006 ** 5. D2 (d, n) He3. . . . . . . . . . . . 3.265 ± 0.009 @ ` 6. T3 (p, x) He4 ............ 19.7 ± 0.04 ** 7. T3 (d, n) Her ............ 17.578 ± 0.030 ** B. He3 (t p) He. ........... 11.18 ± 0.07 9. He3 (np) T3 ............ 0.766 ± 0.010 10. He3 (d, p) He4 ........... 18.45 ± 0.017 Preferred implementations. ** Implementations leading to the best results. Reaction Q in MeV 11. He3 (d, a) Lis ........... 16.3 ± 0.2 * 12. He3 (He3, p) Lis ......... 10.86 ± 0.15 13. Lis (n, a) T3 ............. 4.804 ± 0.022 1 ' 14. Lis (p, a) He3 ............ 4.023 ± 0.003 15. Lis (d, a) He4 ............ 22.396 ± 0.012 ** 16. Lis (d, p) Li7 ............ 5.028 ± 0.003`` 17. Lis (d, n) Be7 ............ 3.40 ± 0.05 18. Lis (t, d) Li7 ......... ... 0.982 ± 0.007 19. Lis (He3, p) Bes .......... 16.60 ± z 20. Li? (P, a) He4 ............ 17.346 ± 0.010 21. Li% (px) Be3 ............ 17, l 1 0.2 * 22. Li7 (d, a) He5 ............ 14.2 ± 0.1 * 23. Li7 (d, n) Beg ............ 15.0 ± 0.1 * 24. Li7 (t, a) He6 ............ 9.79 ± 0.03 25. Bes - @ 2a .............. 0.094 ± 0.001 Preferred implementation. "` * Implementations leading to the best results. The nuclear fusion reaction is normally triggered by a sufficient mass of a fissile element, e.g. B. triggered by U233, U235 Pu23s, which is brought into a critical state and thereby exploded.

Sometimes it is beneficial to have the desired amount of energy wins only from nuclear fission reactions. However, for economic reasons Preferable to nuclear fusion reactions.

The energy released during the nuclear reaction heats the water in the cavity until superheated steam is generated, usually at temperatures from about 425 to 815 ° C, under pressures of about 105 to 7000 kg / cm2; simultaneously A large number of different radioactive isotopes arise from the nuclear fuel. In addition, part of the salt can be liquefied and / or volatilized, and Molecular, atomic or ionic chlorine or sodium etc. can be formed. Furthermore, a small amount of water can be found in molecular, atomic or ionic oxygen, molecular, atomic or ionic hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide or in whose radiolysis products (e.g. -OH) are converted.

After the explosion, the cavity is expediently held for about 5 to Closed for 10 days. During this time, the short-lived radioactive ones decay Units. The reactive chlorine, sodium, hydrogen, oxygen units etc. react with themselves or with each other, so that then a thermodynamic Equilibrium is reached. These 5 to 10 days are hereinafter referred to as "Steam cleaning waiting time". After this time has elapsed, the cavity is tapped on, e.g. B. by removing or drilling the plug 116.

In connection with FIG. 1 - only as an example and for explanation - Assume that the energy source for this is a 1.0 megaton nuclear reactor serves. Also assume that turbine 60 is a 300,000 kilowatt turbine be that at a steam inlet temperature of about 540 ° C, a steam inlet pressure of about 84 kg / cm2 and an outlet pressure of about 0.14 kg / cm2. Then requires the operation of the turbine every hour about 1.15610s kg of steam. When the cavities 14 ' up to 18 'have a volume of about 0.213-108 m3 each and before each explosion with approximately 14.45-106 hl of liquid water were then produced during the explosion 1.0 megaton bomb about 1.44-109 kg steam of about 210 kg / cm2 pressure and about 540 ° C. At the specified steam exit velocity, the turbine 60 can be approximately 34% Operated for days before the pressure in the cavity decreased to about 84 kg / cm2 is.

In connection with a power plant as just described a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

For the most efficient possible continuous operation of a 300,000 kilowatt system, at least two and preferably even three cavities 14 'to 18' are provided. The distance of the cavities 14 'to 18' from one another and from the earth's surface should at least correspond to the equation D = KFn, in which D is the distance in m - 0.3, K is a constant of 2000 to 4000, E is the energy of the reaction device in megatons and n means an exponent of 0.1 to 0.5.

Preferably, K is about 3000 and n is about 0.3 to 0.4.

To prepare for a nuclear reaction, a cavity is filled, e.g. B. 14 ', with the desired amount of water, then leads the nuclear reaction device into it a, closes the shaft 14 and ignites the reaction device, whereby the water is heated up and converted into steam. After the steam cleaning time has elapsed (at least 5 to 10 days) the cavity 14 'is tapped by opening the valves 22 and 38 opens so that steam flows into line 46. By opening a valve 59 in the branch line 58 it can be let into the turbine 60 directly; here the valve 59 should be of such a type that it allows the entry of the steam after the turbine 60 holds under practically constant pressure.

Another possibility is to close the valve 59 and open the valves 49 and 56 so that the steam must flow through the heat recovery or processing plant 48 before it enters the turbine 60. The system 48 is usually switched on when the cavity is tapped shortly after the explosion so that radioactive units are still contained in the vapor, or as a precautionary measure.

The system 48 contains z. B. a layer of a highly porous fine-grain adsorbent, e.g. B. charcoal or active "clay, by which the steam passes through. This causes solid particles to become entrained in the steam retained within the layer of the porous media, and also become gaseous Impurities adsorbed by the steam that are heavier than the steam. are.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the porous Substances a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst deposited thereon, z. E. From platinum, chromium sesquioxide, nickel oxide, and others present in the vapor To convert substances such as H_. "02 or hydrogen peroxide to water (i.e. steam). Similarly, other possibly reactive components in the Steam flow can be rendered harmless. It goes without saying that you can tap into it The cavities also have a special outlet duct (not shown in the drawing) can drill for this purpose.

The exhaust steam coming from the turbine 60 can be discharged through the line 71; however, it is preferably condensed in the condenser 66 and the water obtained is passed into another cavity, e.g. B. after 16 ', first into a collector 70. In this case, therefore, the valve 40 of the shaft 16 is closed and the valves 24 and 86 are open. At about the same time, water is introduced into the cavity 18 'through the shaft 18. Before the pressure of the steam within the cavity 14 'has decreased to about 84 kg / cm = due to the steam extraction and preferably at least about 5 to 10 days before this time, a nuclear reaction device is detonated in the shaft 18' in the manner described above .

If the pressure in the cavity 14 'has then dropped to about 84 kg / cm2, the cavity 18' is tapped, the valve 38 for the shaft 14 is closed and the valves 26 and 42 for the shaft 18 are opened, so that steam is released the cavity 18 'flows into the conduit 46. At the same time, the valve 86 in the return line 78 after the shaft 16 is closed and the valve 84 in the return line 76 for the shaft 14 is opened so that the condensed water can now flow from the collector 70 into the cavity 14 '. As soon as the pressure in the cavity 18 'later approaches the value 84 kg / cm2 as a result of the steam extraction, a new nuclear reaction device is caused to explode in the cavity 16' and the valves are then set so that steam is withdrawn from the space 16 'and Condensation water can flow out of the collector 70 after 18 '. As soon as the pressure of the steam in the space 16 'approaches 84 kg / cmL later, a nuclear reaction device is ignited in the cavity 14' and this cycle is repeated as often as desired.

Another embodiment of the method is shown schematically in FIGS shown.

3 shows a salt dome 200 lying below the surface of the earth, which is drilled from above through at least one main shaft 202. According to this embodiment, an elongated cavity 206 has been produced in the salt dome 200 below the main shaft 202, which here has a diameter of between about 15 and 60 m and a length to diameter ratio of at least about 30: 1. Preferably the length-to-diameter ratio is between about 50: 1 and about 100: 1. A first side shaft 210 with a diameter sufficient for the introduction of a nuclear reaction device is now drilled so that it meets the cavity 206 in the middle, and a second side shaft 214 so that it meets the cavity 206 at the bottom. A third side shaft 218 can also be drilled so that it meets the cavity 206 at its upper end. In this embodiment, about the lowest 10 to 40% of the cavity (z. B. 206) can be filled with a lumpy solid. For example, the cavity 206 can be partially filled with gravel 222 or a similar lumpy material. The next step is to mount a nuclear reaction device through the first side shaft 210 in a position to the side of the axis of the cavity and preferably on a wall thereof at approximately mid-height. The device is preferably located above the level of the water or solid filling in the cavity.

The nuclear reaction device is dimensioned so that when it explodes the energy released to volatilize and / or melt the salt the walls of the cavity is sufficient. The volatilization and melting are on Explosion point most pronounced, so that the shape of the cavity in the explosion zone by converting the solid salt originally contained in it into the liquid one or vaporized state expanded to a spherical to elliptical shape. As soon a state of equilibrium is reached a few days after the explosion is at least a part of the volatilized salt condenses in the liquid state, so that at least the lower part of the cavity lying below the elliptical zone is partially filled with molten salt.

Fig. 4 shows how the elongated cavity 206 (Fig. 3) in the Middle to a spherical to elliptical space 228_, either through Liquefaction of the salt at the point of explosion or through simultaneous volatilization and melting the salt. The liquid salt whose temperature is above the melting point lies, collects in the lower part of the cavity 206 below the extension 228 to a swamp. As a result of the explosion, some salt can get off the cavity walls splinter, but such splinters also immediately become liquid and collect meet in the swamp, the level of which is 230.

The existing water is in the steam above the sump, together with air or other originally existing gases, and is in equilibrium with the existing salt vapor.

The diameter of the spherical to elliptical cavity expansion 228 depends, of course, on the strength of the previous explosion. Was the cavity 206 z. B. initially about 1500 m long and about 30 m in diameter and resulted in the nuclear reaction facility an output of 1 megaton, the extension 228 can have a diameter of reach about 150 m.

The vapor formed in the cavity after the explosion can pass through the main duct 202 can be withdrawn. In this case it can be advantageous if you at the same time quenching water through the third side shaft 218 at the top End of cavity 206 is injected to allow immediate heat exchange Contact of the steam with water, so that the temperature of the through adjusts the main duct 202 escaping steam to the desired height.

If the cavity 206 contains practically no more water, fresh one can be used Water for conversion to steam through the side ducts 210 or 214 in the base of the cavity 206. The resulting steam escapes from the molten salt and withdraws through the main duct 202. Here, too, quenching water can be at the top End of cavity 206 can be inserted through duct 218 to set the temperature to regulate the steam flowing out through the shaft 202.

When the by explosion of a nuclear reaction facility in the cavity 208 heat generated by the removal of steam is practically consumed, one leaves one similar device explode in an adjacent cavity, proceeding in the process, as explained above with reference to FIG. 1, so that steam is continuously supplied.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 offers various advantages. For example, elongated narrow cavities can be found in salt domes Produce fairly cheaply with water by leaching. The one from the explosion resulting molten salt represents a heat storage, so that you can in any large amount and at any desired point in time after the explosion water for the purpose of Can refill conversion to steam. Also, if the bays 214 and 218 are at least about 30 m cavity diameter away from the explosion site, the risk of impact damage in these shafts is very low.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, two spherical cavities A and B are produced by drilling boreholes 1 and 2, roughly in the same way as is customary for oil wells. These boreholes preferably have a diameter of 50 to 75 cm. To create the cavities A and B , the drill holes are then widened at the bottom by a series of increasingly stronger blasts. Even if working with several successive explosions is advisable in order to avoid explosion penetrations towards the surface of the earth, it is nevertheless good to get by with as few explosions as possible in order to avoid further drilling. For example, a small nuclear reactor of about 10 kilotons can be used for the first explosion and then a nuclear fusion bomb of about 1 megaton for a second explosion to create the final cavity. The cavities produced in this way should be located at least 1200 m below the earth or at least sufficiently deep under the earth's surface to avoid surface destruction by the explosion. The cavities produced in this way are approximately spherical and have a diameter of 240 to 720 m. It was etched that the cavities would be only 3300 m below the surface of the earth, even if a bomb with a power equivalent to 20 megatons (TNT) was used : chcn to avoid damage to it.

One of the cavities, e.g. B. A, then becomes 50 to 75% of its capacity filled with water or a similar liquid 3, while the rest of the part (in room 4) a gas 4, such as air, steam, nitrogen, hydrogen, natural gas, etc., preferably a low density gas. This gas has a buffer effect and greatly attenuates the shock wave of the explosion. With the subsequent introduction of the Nuclear reaction device (6) is brought into the cavity - seen from above - approximately in the middle of the cavity and - seen from the side - in the middle third below the surface of the water, as shown in the drawing, and seals then drill hole 1. This can be done by filling the borehole to a specific Height, e.g. B. 600 m, using conventional cement or a soft, light drillable mass, e.g. B. asphalt, happen. After the core explosion, the Temperature in the cave around 260 to 1100 ° C. The pressure is due to the weight of the Overburden determined over the cavity. After the explosion you drift another borehole or line 7 for tapping the heated transmission media (Liquid or gases and vapors) into the cavity, which is preferably up to reaches into the lower eighth of the cavity. In the embodiment shown in FIG According to the invention, the heated liquid or gases rise through line 7 in a heat exchanger 8 and heat there a intended for power supply purposes Liquid or gas. For example, water is evaporated in a line 9 here. The steam obtained flows from line 9 to a power plant 13, for. B. a power plant powered by steam turbines. The liquid or gas from the pipe 7 then flows through the heat exchanger 8 after part of its energy has been released the line 11 into the second cavity B and is stored.

Depending on the size of the system, this can draw off heated liquid or steam from cavity A for several weeks, e.g. B. 2 to 50 weeks. In the end about 50 to 100% of the water originally contained in the cavity A will pass through the lines 7 and 11 are transferred into the cavity B. In this embodiment, which requires a heat exchanger 8, can use about 30 to 80% of the energy the nuclear reaction device 6 win in the heat exchanger.

As a result of the cooling of the liquid in the line 7 on its way by the heat exchanger 8, it becomes more dense, so that they by the difference in density by itself in the line 11 sinks down into the cavity B. The one with this one The force occurring in circulation is around 35 kg / cm2, so there are no feed pumps necessary.

It is true that you could remove the cooled liquid from the heat exchanger also lead back into the same cavity from which it came, but it would cool the remaining liquid, etc. in the cavity, so that the temperature would gradually decrease and the thermodynamic performance would be reduced. According to the invention, this is avoided by arranging a second cavity.

To facilitate this circulation of the liquid between the cavities you can from the cavity B the gas through a borehole 2 after the borehole 1 of the Lead cavity A, so that the whole system through the natural differences in density the fluids keep moving by themselves. Towards the end of this cycle can but it can happen that the force caused by the differences in density no longer occurs sufficient to keep the flow going, so that one additional by pumping the gases Must create driving force. For this purpose z. B. a pump 12 is provided in the corresponding Way with lines 2 and 1 is in communication.

When the liquid in cavity A is exhausted, the cold liquid has in the cavity B about the correct height for the repetition of the cycle. These Height can be regulated by adding water. The cavity B is then for ready for the next explosion. As soon as this is done, the cavities swap theirs Functions, d. H. cavity B supplies the hot liquid or gases, and the cavity A receives the cold liquid. To make electricity generation so uniform and to make them as consistent as possible, several can be used for each power plant There may be cavities.

Example In a volcanic rock you drill two holes from 75 cm in diameter to a depth of 5250 m below the surface of the earth low. These drill holes are enlarged at their lower ends to form spherical cavities of up to about 600 m in diameter due to repeated core explosions of ever larger ones Strength, whereby nuclear reaction facilities with performances corresponding to 10 Kilotons of TNT run out.

One of the cavities is then filled to 75% of its capacity with water off; otherwise it contains air.

A nuclear fusion bomb with a capacity of 20 megatons of TNT is now placed in the center of the cavity created in this way 150 m below the surface of the water, the borehole is plugged to a height of 60 m with poorly permeable asphalt and the bomb is detonated.

Drill to draw off the heated transmission medium from the cavity a second hole with a diameter of 75 cm is then made and a corresponding hole is made through it Pipeline up to 30 m to the bottom of the cavity. The pressure in the cavity at this point in time is around 1540 kg / cm2, the temperature of the medium around 650 ° C.

The hot liquid and steam medium is now allowed to rise to the surface at a speed of 2700 kg steam per second under 1050 kg / cm2 pressure. This medium first flows through a heat exchanger and then, still at 370 ° C, and under 1680 kg / cm2 pressure to the earth's surface, to the second cavity. This process is continued for about 40 weeks; At the end of this time the flow rate is still about the same, namely 2700 kg of steam per second, but the pressure is only 700 kg / cm'- 'and the temperature is only 4000 C. The cycle is now stopped, and the other The cavity is being prepared for the next explosion.

In this way, at a performance level of about 18% on the energy released during the nuclear conversion, approx. 4 - 109 kilowatt hours Generates electricity.

It is true that any known nuclear reaction device is suitable for the present process useful; however, the nuclear reaction facility should be used to achieve the highest possible performance preferably have a strength of about 1 to 20 megatons.

Instead of putting a finished nuclear fusion bomb through the borehole in to insert the cavity, they can also be put together underground. For this you can use a bubble-like container made of copper, which can be inserted into the borehole has been flattened and rolled. As soon as he reaches the cavity one pushes the nuclear fuel into the container to bring it to the desired position Puff shape. Then the nuclear detonator is deployed and the charge is ready to explode.

Due to the arrangement of the device according to the invention, plants grow the shock wave easily travels through the liquid, and the downward part the Wave is easily diverted into the surrounding rock layer, like the dashed ones Specify arrows. The upward part of the wave, however, hits the gas layer in the cavity. Because a transfer of impact energy from a dense liquid the less dense gas is very ineffective, a large part of the collision energy becomes thrown back. The small amount that moves on through the gas will turn transferred only a little of the gas to the rock above, so that the largest Part of the energy is thrown back, as indicated by the dashed arrows. on in this way only a very small part of the output energy settles as a shock wave towards the surface.

Other means can be used to further weaken the shock wave provide. For example, the core fuser can have an "onion-shaped" structure to make the shock wave rise less steeply. Here is the device made of concentric spherical shells. In the middle is the detonator, and immediately Around it lies a jacket of the fuel that is just thick enough to to maintain the nuclear reaction. Around this is an inert layer that is sufficient to bring the energy released by the central melting down to one temperature at which it is barely able to initiate another merger. This layer is then followed by another shell of critical fuel Thick and on top of this shell another inert shell for further weakening etc. In this way as many layers can be superimposed as there are for Achieving the desired overall strength of the explosion are required.

When such an "onion-like" bomb explodes, they react successive layers individually. Once a fuel interlayer reacts, part of the energy is thrown back towards the center, and only one Fraction is taken along by the shock wave propagating outwards. Finally, of course, all energy radiates outwards, but through the "onion-like" Arrangement, a large part of the energy is only effective behind the first wave front. As a result, the corresponding shock wave is neither as steep nor as high as it with a simultaneous explosion of the entire fuel. Such a "onion device" is particularly suitable for underground explosions to generate electricity according to the invention.

The risk of radioactive contamination of groundwater must of course should be avoided if possible. In and of itself this does not present any serious difficulties, however these can be eliminated by adjusting the conditions during manufacture the cavities so that their walls are glazed all around. These "Glazing" then also contributes to the loss of the heated transmission medium to prevent from the cavity. So you can z. B. by appropriate selection the cavity size, the bomb size and the amount and type of transmission medium, namely, by choosing such high density means, the temperature and pressure conditions control so that the aforementioned "glazing" of the cavity walls is achieved. These Glazing prevents the medium from seeping into the surrounding rock, which be porous under the temperature and pressure conditions prevailing in the cavity or can be.

Claims (7)

PATENT CLAIMS: 1. A method for utilizing thermal energy from .exothermic nuclear reactions, in which a nuclear reaction device is located underground, the heat is stored in the ground and conducted to the surface of the earth by a heat transfer medium in order to use it technically, characterized in that the nuclear reaction device in a partially water-filled cavity, which lies in a thermally insulating rock layer, is made to explode and that after this explosion at least part of the heated water or the resulting water vapor is brought to the surface of the earth. 2. Procedure according to claim 1, characterized in that additional water after the explosion is inserted into the cavity. 3. The method according spoke 1 or 2, characterized in that that the cavity is connected to the surface of the earth by a shaft, which during closed after the explosion and opened after the explosion, and that the heated water is transported through this shaft to the surface of the earth. 4. Procedure according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cavity is located at a depth below the surface of the earth, which is according to the following Equation is calculated: D = KE @ i in which D means the depth of the cavity in m - 0.3, K represents a constant with a value between 2000 and 4000, E the energy of the core device in megatons and n is an exponent with a value between Means 0.1 and 0.5. 5. The method according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that that the cavity has a diameter of 9 to 60 m and a length that corresponds to 30 to 100 times its diameter. 6. Procedure according to an or several of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the nuclear reaction device a nuclear fission facility or a nuclear fusion facility is used. 7. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the nuclear reaction device has a predetermined energy output which is sufficient to convert the water used into. Steam. B. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that several shafts are drilled at a distance from each other in an underground salt dome, under each of the shafts a cavity is formed in the salt dome, the first cavity through a first in communication with it Fills the shaft at least partially with water, introduces a nuclear reaction device through the shaft into this first cavity, the explosion of which releases enough energy to convert the water into steam, closes the shaft from the atmosphere, causes the device to explode, taps the first cavity , withdraws at least part of the steam and removes the usable energy from it, the steam cooling and condensing, introducing the condensed water into a second cavity until the first. Cavity no longer contains usable steam, then detonates a second nuclear reaction device in the second cavity, so that the condensed water is converted into steam again, then withdraws steam from the second cavity, removes the usable energy from it and condenses and the condensed water into one introduces another cavity, so that a constant supply of steam is ensured. 9. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cavity is produced by leaching with water that 15 to 25% of the cavity are filled with lumpy solids before the explosion and so much wash water is withdrawn from the cavity that at least 60% of the void volume remains free. 10. A method for utilizing thermal energy from exothermic nuclear reactions, in which a nuclear reaction device is arranged underground, the heat is stored in the ground and passed through a heat transfer medium to the surface of the earth in order to use it technically, characterized in that a salt layer is pierced with a shaft is, in this layer below the shaft with water, an elongated cavity is washed out, the washout water is removed from the cavity, a nuclear reaction device is made to explode in the middle part of the cavity, so that the salt is liquefied in the explosion zone and a sump of molten Salt forms in the cavity, that then liquid water is brought into contact with the molten salt, so that the water is converted into steam, and that then part of the steam generated in this way is withdrawn from the cavity and a system for utilizing the thermal energy is forwarded. 11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that 15 to 25% of the void volume are filled with a lumpy solid before the explosion. 12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a second shaft is drilled from the surface of the earth, which opens at the lower end into the cavity, that after the explosion, water is injected through this second shaft into the cavity and at least part of the steam is pulled through the first shaft to the surface of the earth. 13. The method according to one or more of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that a third shaft from the surface of the earth in such a way. The salt layer is drilled that it opens at the upper end above the first shaft in the cavity that after Explosion water is introduced through the first duct into the lower part of the cavity and through the second duct into the upper part of the cavity at such speeds that the water introduced into the lower part of the cavity is heated sufficiently to form superheated steam, and that this superheated steam is cooled by direct heat exchange with the water that is introduced through the second duct. In. Publications considered: Swiss Patent No. 252 909; "Nucleonics", Vol. 16, 1958, No. 4, p. 21; "Technische Rundschau", vol. 50, 1958, issue 18, p.7.