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 UO 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) CIRCULATE COOLING WATER TO THE INLET OF FACH INDIVIDUAL PRESSURE TUBE (FUEL ASSEMBLY) THROUGH INDIVIDUAL LINES FOR EACH ASSEMBLY STEAM IS PRODUCED WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY AND IS EXTRACTED FROM THE TOP OF EACH PRESSURE TUBE AND COLLECTED IN A HEADER COMMON TO ONE OF FOUR STEAM DRUMS CONTROL IS ACCOMPLISHED WITH 211 BORON CARBIDE CONTROL RODS THE CONTROL ROD CHANNELS ARE COOLED SEPARATELY ON LINE REFUELING (ESSENTIALLY CONTINUOUS) EMERGENCY COOLING SYSTEMS ARE DESIGNED FOR MAIN COOLANT PIPE BREAK |