Question

List the reactor safety barriers used to prevent release of fission products into the environment in a modern BWR. Briefly explain how each barrier functions to prevent release.

Answer 1

Safety is very much important parameter in safeguarding the environment.Majorly these safety measures must be followed strictly so that the damaage caused by radiation will be mitigated.

The following safety measures are taken for prevention of release of fission products directly to the environment:

1)Majorly the fuel is stored in the form of pellets made of high density ceramics,so that after the fuel gets burned the emitted fission partclies are there inside these pellets.So that there is less possibility of release of fissio particles into the environment.

2)The fuel pellets are again safeguarded by tubes which are made of alloys primarily of Zr alloys.

3)The whole setup is integrated in large pressure vessel,whose walls are made of more thickness around 30 to 50cm.

4)Outside this,there is a strong wall made of RCC i.e, Reinforced Concrete Cement with minimun 1metre of thickness.

5)Besides this,the whole plant is continously monitored and the radioactive levels around the surroundings of the nuclear reactor are measured.

6)There will be a continous cooling water supply around the reactor, inorder to control the amount of heat energy released during the fission process.