4 ms·
If I'm understanding it correctly, the term "meltdown" doesn't even really apply to this design since the fuel is already liquid.
by bkeroack 12y ago
If I'm understanding it correctly, the term "meltdown" doesn't even really apply to this design since the fuel is already liquid.
- badloginagain 12y agoYou are correct- I use the term meltdown to encapsulate an event that causes significant damage to the control of a reactor, such as an earthquake followed by a tsunami. In such an event, an MSR has a "drain tank" that sits below the reactor. In an emergency, gravity drops the salt into the drain tank, and the nuclear reaction safely comes to a halt- all with zero human intervention.
- TheSpiceIsLife 12y agoPerhaps it would be better to use the term 'containment failure'. I'm surrounded by vehement anti-nuclear types, you know the ones who get arrested for their environmental activism antics. When talking about nuclear technology with them I find it helpful not to utter certain words like 'meltdown', 'weapons', etc etc.