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To: meatloaf

My boo-boo---I'm used to PWR's.


How do they handle the radioactivity in the BWR after it goes through the turbine and into the condensate system?

Soundls like a lot of extra shielding and the like (but a lot less corrosion, though)

I still the problems they had with FERMI-1 when I was a kid.

Nice to see that FERMI-2 has a lot better record.


102 posted on 01/26/2005 2:58:29 PM PST by fastattacksailor (We interrupt your jihad to bring you a Crusade)
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To: fastattacksailor

Lots of shielding. The trade off of a simple, component wise, system such as the BWR compared to a PWR with more components means that potentially more radiaoactive systems and areas exist with a BWR design as compared to a PWR. You need a lot more shielding with a BWR. Access to more areas require suiting up. With a PWR, water chemistry is super critical. Tube corrosion and eventual leaks in the steam generators require tube plugging or sleeving. Lots of tubes plugged means reduced power output. Some plants have been forced to replace steam generators which is a mammoth project since the plants weren't designed for steam generator replacement.

A BWR doesn't have steam generators but you have to monitor more areas and systems for radioactive leaks. You learn real quick not to wear anything made out of a polyester blend at a BWR site. Just walking across the turbine deck will cause you to pick up enough radioactivity to setoff the portal monitors. It's short half-life stuff which means you have to stand around and look stupid until the stuff decays.

Accessing the condensor bay in a PWR is simple. There's no radioactivity. At a BWR plant, it's a high rad area.


103 posted on 01/26/2005 3:18:18 PM PST by meatloaf
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