Japanese Tsunami

Platapus · 03-15-11, 03:28 PM

If you have a reactor that has a full load of fuel rods, even when the control rods are fully extended, there will still be some activity that will require cooling. If something happened to the cooling system of this "shut down" reactor, there may be a future risk if it is not anticipated that the cooling system can operate.

Do BWRs not have safety rods? It has been about 30 years since I was last in a BWR.

They may, and the article is not clear on this, be considering venting early before anything gets busted. Venting now won't release any radioactive stuff (very very small amounts) but would vent any H gas that may be accumulating.

Better to vent now than wait until something bad happens.

03-15-11, 03:28 PM	#11
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,445 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	If you have a reactor that has a full load of fuel rods, even when the control rods are fully extended, there will still be some activity that will require cooling. If something happened to the cooling system of this "shut down" reactor, there may be a future risk if it is not anticipated that the cooling system can operate. Do BWRs not have safety rods? It has been about 30 years since I was last in a BWR. They may, and the article is not clear on this, be considering venting early before anything gets busted. Venting now won't release any radioactive stuff (very very small amounts) but would vent any H gas that may be accumulating. Better to vent now than wait until something bad happens. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.