Collecting tank with evaporation protection for a nuclear reactor

In order to prevent evaporation and aerosol formation in the containment e.g. of a FBR in case of the coolant (e.g. sodium or fused salt) escaping into it after a Bethe-Tait accident, floating bodies are placed in the collecting tank. These are axially symmetrical, especially spherical, hollow bodies made of e.g. chrome-nickel steel. They are present in the collecting tank in such number that in beginning to swim they completely cover the surface of the coolant. In order to prevent tumbler or rotation movements causing each time fresh coolant to be brought over the layer of floating bodies, which then could evaporate, these floating bodies are provided with ballast weights keeping them in a well-defined position. For depressurization of the interior of the floating bodies, these have got a relief boring in the region of the ballast weights. For utilization of the maximum degree of covering the coolant surface the floating bodies sink into the coolant with half their volume. (DG)