US nuclear reactor shielding.

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by The Third Man

The containment vessel consists of a verticle containment vessel of 5.5 meter diameter, between two water-tight bulkheads. The control rod drive is situated in a cupola which rests above the reactor chamber. The chamber can withstand a pressure of 15+ atmospheres.


The secondary shielding consists of concrete, lead, and polethyleane positioned toward the top of the containment area. Water, by its nature, contains any nuclear escape to the surrounding area.

A pre-stressed concrete wall of 122 cm surrounds the lower portion of containment. This wall rests upon a HTS cushion. A section of 15.2 cm lead obsorbs the gamma radiation. 15.2 cm of polethyleane is used to slow neutrons. Any space between lead plates is filled with lead wool.

Did you know that the NR-1 had no aft reactor shielding. Radiation containment was provided by a ballast tank filled with 12 feet of water since due to the small size of the NR-1 full shielding would have destabilized the submarine.

Originally Posted by Oberon

Damn it Oberon stop taking photos of my house!