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Are control rods of nuclear reactors used to stop a leak?
Not really. Control rods are used to start up and shut down a nuclear reactor.
What are control rods during a nuclear reactor?
The control rods are neutron absorbers that can be moved up and down to vary the amount of absorption and so keep the reactor at a steady power or raise/lower power. They also shut the reactor down and hold it down when fully inserted.
How long does it take a nuclear reactor to cool?
The time it takes to cool a nuclear reactor down varies. If a reactor has been running at nearly full power and is shut down, it takes several days to even weeks to cool it down. The size of the reactor and the "aggressiveness" of a cooling system will affect the cooldown time as well as the power levels at which the reactor was operating at before shutdown. If a reactor has been operating for some time at high power and is shut down, fission in the core stops (as it does in any shutdown). But fission products in the core are at a high level because the reactor was operating at high power. These fission products will continue to decay for some time. The decaying fission products will be creating a lot of residual heat for this extended period, too.
A SCRAM refers to what type of situation?
A SCRAM is the emergency shut down of a nuclear reactor. SCRAM stands for safety control rod axe man. A SCRAM is also used for routine shut down procedures.
Why do nuclear fuel rods heat in a reactor that is shut down?
Because the fission products that are contained in the fuel are radioactive and produce a substantial amount of heat.
Can you shut down a nuclear power plant?
Yes, nuclear power plant can be shut down.
How is the chain reaction different in a nuclear bomb compared to a nuclear power-plant?
in a bomb it is an uncontrolled runaway reaction that completes in roughly 10 microseconds with the detonation of the core of the bomb.in a reactor it is a controlled steady reaction that continues for hours to years, until the operators shut the reactor down for maintenance.
What caused Japan's reactor to blow up?
the reactor over heated and the fail safe shut down failed
What does SCRAM stand for?
In reference to the SCRAM bracelet, it stands for Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor. In nuclear power, it is the immediate fail-safe action to shut down the reactor. It stands for Safety Control Rod Ax Man in reference to the first known reactor, Chicago Pile One, where a man was literally stationed to cut a rope with an axe to shut down the "reactor" (to stop the chain reaction by disrupting the critical mass).
What happens if a nuclear reactor is not cooled?
A nuclear reactor generates heat by controlled nuclear fission. Primary coolant carries this heat away to make steam. If a reactor is not cooled, it will overheat. Even if it is shut down immediately, the radioactive fragments of fission in the core will still be undergoing radioactive decay. This will continue to generate a lot of what we call decay heat. This heat can be sufficient to melt the metal that forms the fuel elements if cooling is not maintained, and the result is a nuclear meltdown with various consequences.
How much water does a nuclear reactor need?
When operating, a nuclear power plant needs about 750,000 gallons of water per minute! When being shut down (as in the case of an emergency) the cooling operation requires about 25,000 gallons per minute.
Is there a simple emergency shutdown protocol for nuclear power plants considering the reactors in Japan melting down is there or why isn't there a simple way to shut down the process or reactor?
insert the control rods to stop the fission process
