[SargeK]

NRC lists the megawatt thermal (MWt) ratings for operating US reactors. Dresden 1 and 2 are GE Mark 1 BWR - apparently similar to the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

They are rated at 2957 MWt. However, I’m not sure this is a useful comparison, since the figure listed is an operating rating - basically an upper limit of the licensed power for the plant.

With a loss of core structural integrity, loss of the geometry, loss of moderator control, I’m not sure we can calculate with any degree of confidence how much heat the plant will produce in its current state, at least not without a lot of data that even the plant operators themselves are struggling to determine.

If it were just a matter of the reactor being scrammed, all rods in place, all systems normal, then yes we could I’m sure reasonably estimate how much decay heat will be produced. Right now, there are just too many wildcards for that sort of computation.

But then, I’m not a nuclear engineer.

[SargeK]

Correction, Dresden 2 and 3.

[GonzoGOP]

With a loss of core structural integrity, loss of the geometry, loss of moderator control, I’m not sure we can calculate with any degree of confidence how much heat the plant will produce in its current state, at least not without a lot of data that even the plant operators themselves are struggling to determine.

Look at it as best case analysis. They have to dissipate at least .5% of the heat the reactor was rated at. On a 760 MW reactor that would be 3.8 MW that needs to be dissipated. That is not an insubstantial amount of heat, but is it enough to melt through a containment vessel. Those things are fairly tough and built to take a lot of heat.