Cal Burgart's Comments Regarding Q+A-11 + Q+A-12

[Cal Burgart]

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---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: as I bone up on things nuclear
From: "Calvin Burgart"
Date: Sun, September 30, 2012 11:42 am
To: "John Karls"
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I found this hour video by Martin. I thought quite good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3vr5hkG-r8

I believe a couple of your suggested answers need clarification..

In particular, No 11. Molten salt reactors operate at high temperature,
but low pressure. And steam expansion due to super heated water does not
occur. So containment against pressure is not an issue.

and No. 12 . I think the words should be "elaborate emergency
water-cooling systems" - as in light water reactors. Reason, in the
case of heat buildup (like the turbines stop, or whatever) the (1) the
salt expands generating negative feed back to critically, thus the
neutron population goes down as so does power and, (2) control rods get
inserted to make the reactor sub-critical, but radioactive decay is
occurring in the solid fuel elements at some temperature the fuel rods
melt - active cooling must be maintained, i.e. Three Mile Island.

In any nuclear plant auxiliary electrical power from the grid, and
eventually diesel or whatever, is going to be very important in some
circumstances such as Fukushima, where that got wiped out by the tsunami.

Obviously, I am enjoying waking up those brain cells and the book. One
basic technical aspect, which he assumes (I guess) we all understand is
what causes a reactor to be critical? And what causes it to generate
power at variable levels.. This is not necessary to understand a lot of
what the book is about, but I think helps an individual to understand
melt-down and bombs, and also starting up a thorium reactor. I would be
glad to explain at the meeting, if you want me too.

Regards,

Calvin


---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Re: as I bone up on things nuclear
From: john@johnkarls.com
Date: Sun, September 30, 2012 12:05 pm
To: Cal Burgart
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Dear Cal,

Would be delighted if you could explain at the meeting what causes a
reactor to be critical and what causes it to generate power at variable
levels.

And ecstatic if you could explain any other technical query that arises!!!

Your friend,

John K.