Core damage
The term core damage is derived from the English core damage and refers to accident events in nuclear power plants . Contrary to first impressions including not a moderate damage is the reactor core or (as a blanket description) possibly also further damages understood the core, but a "serious damage to the system" - in principle so even already have the meltdown walking out - from the well may a greater release of radioactivity could result. A relatively minor damage to the reactor core, which could still be absorbed by delayed emergency cooling, is described as "multiple fuel element damage". An intermediate form was the core meltdown in the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant : here a partial “ meltdown ” of the core had arisen, which could also be cooled before it could leave the reactor vessel.
An example of the category “multiple fuel element damage” occurred in 2001 at the Cattenom nuclear power plant , Unit 3. 92 fuel rods installed in 28 fuel elements of the reactor were damaged not by accident or accidents, but by chronic effects during operation . Some of them were even broken. The problem was solved by replacing the affected fuel elements and cleaning the reactor circuit, which was partially contaminated by leaching of radionuclides.
literature
- HSK : Safety-related statement on the periodic safety review of the Mühleberg nuclear power plant , 2002
Individual evidence
- ↑ (without author) Handbook: PWR Fuel failure Management