Reactor containment refers to a protective structure that holds nuclear reactors, preventing harmful substances from escaping in case of a possible leak or accident. It acts as a barrier and keeps radioactive materials contained within the reactor, ensuring the safety of the surroundings.
Full definition
Workers at Fukushima were forced to vent hydrogen and steam after fuel assemblies melted in order to prevent an even more catastrophic damage to
reactor containment structures and a far greater radiation release.
The dome is the final structural component of Barakah 4's
reactor containment building, which houses the nuclear reactor vessel, steam generators and other major components.
The large white rectangular structures in the center of Figure 1 are the turbine buildings with the two
reactor containments on the left.
Markey also renewed his insistence that NRC heed warnings by its staffer John Ma about the ability of
the reactor containment structure to withstand earthquake or aircraft impact forces.
Burnell referred to the water reservoir above the shield building that floods
the reactor containment area if normal reactor cooling systems fail.
In a severe accident at Indian Point, where it was crucial to relieve pressure inside
the reactor containment, high pressures could damage equipment required to carry out the venting and «potentially prevent containment depressurization,» the NRC said.
Conceptually, it would be hard to envisage replacement of
the reactor containment building.
The INPO report describes an extended and complex decisionmaking process that unfolded before orders were given to vent
the reactor containment structures to relieve dangerous pressures.
Davis - Besse has the two closest - to - meltdown «accidents» in the United States: the Tornado that cut off power, damaged the plant, and forced it to run on backup generators; and the «football sized hole» in
the reactor containment.