Ice condenser

The ice condenser is a safety system designed to rapidly absorb steam and reduce containment pressure following a Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) or Main Steam Line Break (MSLB). The high pressure steam following LOCA or MSLB conditions is directed into chambers containing baskets filled with ice. Ice blocks, being naturally cooler than the steam, will remove heat from the steam, which will cause the steam to condense. This will cause a reduction in the pressure of the building and will also reduce the temperature of the containment atmosphere.

This system has many positive features. Pressure suppression via ice condensers is very effective because of the ability of ice to absorb high amount of energy during a phase transition. This feature allows containment building to be much smaller than conventional containment buildings. Moreover water from melting of ice can be used for passive cooling and flooding of the small-sized cavity, where the reactor is located.