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Re: [Phys-l] Nuclear Power and the Grid




On 2011, Sep 10, , at 13:08, LaMontagne, Bob wrote:

This may be an incredibly simple minded question, but when the grid collapses, why is it necessary to scram the reactor. Since the reactor generates steam for a turbine, why can't it be vented out the cooling stack until the grid has stabilized?

Bob at PC


I thought JD answered this -- that's what happened in Japan even tho they'd SCRAM'd before the Tsunami arrived. I assume the turbine steam is in a closed system, so it can't be vented. If it is, Water must be added continuously. With additional heat exchangers it could instead be condensed. Question: How much water is required to condense 300 degree steam when heated by 3,000 MW?


bc

p.s. one method of restarting would be to use a small storage pond and turbine. It could be an existing hydro-E station.