0
It's fairly literal. The nuclear core of a reactor, where the nuclear fuel is, needs to be shielded so that the radiation and any radioactive components inside do not escape into the general environment.
The primary radiation type inside the core is neutron radiation. One of the best shields for neutron radiation is a hydrogen-dense substance, thus pure water is often used. Water, if circulated in a heat sink system, also serves as a heat-removal method (cooling system).
The enclosure for the core and the water pool is a containment vessel made out of something that is airtight and which shields against other kinds of direct radiation. Steel is a common material, perhaps supplemented by concrete and other reinforcement to guard against being damaged by an earthquake, explosion, or an airplane impact (for example).
There is usually an outer containment building that encloses the reactor containment vessel itself. This is a sort of "second line of defense" in case the reactor is breached. Containment buildings are designed to withstand extremely high internal pressures (such as superheated steam) and forces of almost any direction and realistic magnitude. The specific shape of buildings at a nuclear plant are part of their function. The concave towers that are so symbolic of nuclear power are a common design for cooling towers (and not the reactor core itself). Domes are a common shape for reactor containment buildings for a variety of reasons that have mostly to do with encouraging steam condensation.
Another Answer:
The first line of defense is the design of the fuel pin, which contains the fuel, preventing its release into the reactor itself. The pin is made of a zirconium alloy that can withstand extremely high temperature and pressure. These fuel pins are about one half inch in diameter and about 12 feet long, depending on the reactor design. They are organized into bundles, then into assemblies, then into the core complex itself.
The second line of defense is the reactor pressure vessel. Made of high carbon steel with a stainless steel inner liner, it is often about six inches thick. Along with the core cooling system, it forms the primary pressure boundary for the reactor.
The third line of defense is the primary containment. Depending on the reactor design, this is typically a building surrounding the pressure vessel, suppresion pool, and other critical components that is from four to seven feet of hyper structurally reinforced concrete. In the event of a depressurization event of the pressure vessel, the primary containment will hold that release and condense it into the suppression pool.
The fourth line of defense is the secondary containment. Again, depending on the reactor design, this is typically a building around the primary containment and its supporting systems such as the emergency core cooling systems and spent fuel pool, that is around two feet thick.
All of these containment systems are designed to maximize the length of time you have to restore emergency core cooling before you have an uncontrolled release of radiation and/or radioactivity.
There are other lines of defense, but the question only asked about containment.
What else can I help you with?
What is a nuclear reactor is surrounded by?
A nuclear reactor is surrounded by several layers of physical barriers designed to contain and shield the reactor core. These layers typically include a reactor pressure vessel, a primary containment structure, and secondary containment buildings made of materials like steel and concrete to prevent the release of radioactive materials in case of an accident.
What is a dangerous condition caused by overheating inside a nuclear reactor?
A dangerous condition caused by overheating inside a nuclear reactor is called a nuclear meltdown. This occurs when the reactor core is unable to be cooled and may result in a breach of the containment structures, releasing radioactive material into the environment.
What is the term used to describe a nuclear reactor when it over heats and the core melts?
The term used to describe a nuclear reactor when it overheats and the core melts is "nuclear meltdown." This can lead to a breach of containment and release of radioactive materials into the environment.
The three main barriers in a nuclear power plant to prevent release of fission products are?
The three main barriers are the fuel cladding, the reactor coolant system, and the containment building. The fuel cladding encases the nuclear fuel to prevent the release of radioactive materials, while the reactor coolant system circulates water to cool the reactor and remove heat. The containment building is the final barrier that surrounds the reactor to prevent the release of radioactive materials in case of an accident.
Can a nuclear reactor explode as a nuclear bomb?
Highly unlikely if not altogether impossible. In a core meltdown, you might see a steam explosion if the core melts and breaches the containment structure and hits say cooling water. But even a runaway chain reaction in a reactor would not cause a nuclear explosion like a bomb.
Why did a nuclear power plant chooses an egglike shape reactor?
The reactor is not Egg like. It is the Containment area that is egg like, So no steam or nuclear radiation cannot escape.
How nuclear reactor containment spray system works?
A nuclear reactor containment spray system typically consists of a network of pipes and nozzles that spray water or other cooling agents onto the reactor containment structure in the event of an emergency. This helps to remove heat from the reactor and prevent the containment structure from overheating, which can lead to the release of radioactive material. The spray system is designed to provide an additional layer of safety and is activated automatically or manually in response to specific conditions.
What is a nuclear reactor is surrounded by?
A nuclear reactor is surrounded by several layers of physical barriers designed to contain and shield the reactor core. These layers typically include a reactor pressure vessel, a primary containment structure, and secondary containment buildings made of materials like steel and concrete to prevent the release of radioactive materials in case of an accident.
What is a dangerous condition caused by overheating inside a nuclear reactor?
A dangerous condition caused by overheating inside a nuclear reactor is called a nuclear meltdown. This occurs when the reactor core is unable to be cooled and may result in a breach of the containment structures, releasing radioactive material into the environment.
What is the term used to describe a nuclear reactor when it over heats and the core melts?
The term used to describe a nuclear reactor when it overheats and the core melts is "nuclear meltdown." This can lead to a breach of containment and release of radioactive materials into the environment.
The three main barriers in a nuclear power plant to prevent release of fission products are?
The three main barriers are the fuel cladding, the reactor coolant system, and the containment building. The fuel cladding encases the nuclear fuel to prevent the release of radioactive materials, while the reactor coolant system circulates water to cool the reactor and remove heat. The containment building is the final barrier that surrounds the reactor to prevent the release of radioactive materials in case of an accident.
What is the radius of radiation from a nuclear reactor?
The radius of radiation from a nuclear reactor can vary depending on factors such as the reactor's power output, type of nuclear fuel used, and containment measures in place. Generally, an exclusion zone of several kilometers is established around a nuclear reactor to protect the public from potential radiation exposure.
Can a nuclear reactor explode as a nuclear bomb?
Highly unlikely if not altogether impossible. In a core meltdown, you might see a steam explosion if the core melts and breaches the containment structure and hits say cooling water. But even a runaway chain reaction in a reactor would not cause a nuclear explosion like a bomb.
What has the author J M Aldrich written?
J. M. Aldrich has written: 'Neutron spectra and dose equivalent inside nuclear power reactor containment' -- subject(s): Neutrons, Nuclear reactors, Containment, Measurement, Spectra, Radiation
The catastrophic meltdown of a nuclear reactor's fuel through the containment floor and into the ground is reffered to as?
This event is commonly known as a "core meltdown" or "nuclear meltdown." It occurs when the fuel rods in the reactor overheat and melt, breaching the containment structures and potentially affecting the surrounding environment with radiation.
Dangerous condition caused by overheating inside a nuclear reactor?
Overheating inside a nuclear reactor can lead to a meltdown, where the nuclear fuel overheats to the point of damaging the reactor core. This can result in the release of harmful radioactive materials into the environment, posing serious health and safety risks to people and the environment. Emergency response measures, such as cooling systems and containment strategies, are in place to prevent and mitigate the effects of overheating in a nuclear reactor.
What does a nuclear look like?
A nuclear reactor is typically a large cylindrical structure or containment building that houses the nuclear fuel rods, control systems, and other components needed for generating power from nuclear reactions. It can vary in size and design depending on the type of reactor (e.g., pressurized water reactor, boiling water reactor). The external appearance may resemble a large industrial facility with cooling towers or other specialized structures.
