CHERNOBYL PLANT CHARACTERISTICS THE CHERNOBYL UNITS (RUSSIAN NAME RBMK-1000) ARE DIRECT CYCLE BOILING-WATER PRESSURE-TUBE REACTORS EACH UNIT IS RATED AT ABOUT 3200 MWT THE REACTOR FUEL IS CONTAINED IN A LARGE NUMBER (1660) OF EACH PRESSURE TUBE CONTAINS 18 ZIRCALOY CLAD UO2 FUEL PINS THE REACTOR IS ABOUT 12M (40 FT) IN DIAMETER AND 8M (26FT) THE GRAPHITE MATRIX IS ENCLOSED WITHIN AN INERTED ATMOSHPERE SIX OPERATING PUMPS (8 PUMPS TOTAL, TWO PUMPS ARE ON STANDBY) STEAM IS PRODUCED WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY AND IS EXTRACTED FROM THE TOP EMERGENCY COOLING SYSTEMS ARE DESIGNED FOR MAIN COOLANT PIPE |