answersLogoWhite

0

The risk which would be most dangerous is one where a loss of coolant accident happens and promotes a fuel meltdown, so that radioactive material could be ejected into the environment. This is effectively what happened at Chernobyl, but made worse by the steam explosion and then the graphite fire. This type of reactor has never and will never be built in the US, other nearby countries, or W Europe. PWR's and BWR's are made safe by very generous design margins on the primary circuit, and it is maintained by all design and licensing authorities that the probability of such disruptive failure is negligible, though difficult to put a number to. Something like 10-6 per reactor year is the design aim, ie a reactor would have to operate for a million years to have one such failure.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What has the author Hyunsuk Ahn written?

Hyunsuk Ahn has written: 'Investigation of reliability growth in the nuclear industry for probabilistic risk assessment' -- subject(s): Reliability (Engineering), Nuclear power plants, Risk assessment


What has the author G Cahen written?

G. Cahen has written: 'Nuclear engineering' -- subject(s): Nuclear engineering, Nuclear physics


What scientists would be needed to build a nuclear power plant?

Engineers specializing in nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering would be essential for designing and constructing a nuclear power plant. Additionally, nuclear physicists, health physicists, and materials scientists would be required for ensuring safety, radiation protection, and materials selection. Environmental scientists may also be involved in assessing and mitigating potential environmental impacts.


What Fields are involved in food engineering?

Genetic engineering, chemical engineering, and microbiology are all fields involved in food engineering.


Is nuclear physics engineering?

no


What has the author Kazys Almenas written?

Kazys Almenas has written: 'Nuclear engineering' -- subject(s): Nuclear engineering


When was Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering created?

Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering was created in 1953.


Was Jimmy Carter an engineer of the nuclear kind?

Yes, Jimmy Carter was involved in nuclear engineering during his career. Before becoming President, he served in the U.S. Navy, where he was a nuclear engineer and helped develop the Navy's nuclear submarine program. His expertise in nuclear technology influenced his policies on nuclear energy and non-proliferation during his presidency.


Nuclear Engineer?

The principal responsibility of a Nuclear Engineer is to apply a use of engineering concepts and knowledge of nuclear science to engineering problems. Nuclear engineering is a large and diverse field that can be broken into groups of engineers that work in the development and use of nuclear energy, radioactive materials, and on-site solutions. Nuclear engineers that choose to work in the field of nuclear energy can specialize into a few different categories. The major areas are in the design of machines or facilities that will either harness or produce nuclear energy, and those who specialize in the development of products that will mitigate the damage of, or dispose of, unwanted nuclear materials. Nuclear engineers that work with radioactive materials are often involved in the research and development of products that are used in a variety of applications in medicine, science, industry, and agriculture. The last category of engineers is the individuals who work in on-site environments. They often serve as consultants in the construction of facilities that are to be involved in the production or use of nuclear energies. The minimum requirements to become a Nuclear Engineer are to earn a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering, some of the other engineering specialties can qualify but there is much less cross over than in other fields. A graduate degree in nuclear engineering is essential for any research positions but is not necessary to enter the general workforce. It is highly advisable for students to secure an internship during college to gain highly valuable work experience. The employment opportunities in nuclear engineering are expected to be slightly favorable. According to www.bls.gov there is expected to be 11% job growth but a low number of graduates with degrees in nuclear engineering to fill the positions. Nuclear engineers are one of the best paid engineering specialties; entry level positions in the field typically pay from $55,000 to $60,000. Earnings vary by location but the average yearly salary for a nuclear engineer is currently from $90,000 to $95,000.


Who is most at risk in a nuclear energy accident?

Those most at risk in a nuclear energy accident are the workers at the nuclear facility itself.


When was Nuclear Risk Reduction Center created?

Nuclear Risk Reduction Center was created in 1987.


Which field of engineering overlaps almost other fields of engineering?

design engineering