Core Catcher
Encyclopedia
A core catcher is a device provided to catch the molten core material (Corium
) of a nuclear reactor in case of a nuclear meltdown
and prevent it from escaping the containment building
.
A core catcher is made from a special concrete ceramic to prevent material from trickling through; it also uses material of cooler construction to cool down the core material. The core catcher of the European Pressurized Reactor
(EPR) has 170 m² expansion area and a mass of 500 t.
Reactor types with core catchers, besides the EPR, are: the "Fast Breeder" SNR-300
, VVER-1000/428
, SWR1000, ESBWR, and Atmea I.
The AES-91, a project of Atomstroyexport
, will be the first type of nuclear plant that has a core catcher as standard equipment. Thus, in early 2011, the two reactors of the Chinese Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant
are the only working nuclear reactors with core catchers.
Corium
Corium may refer to:* Corium , the lava-like result of meltdown* Corium , an insect genus...
) of a nuclear reactor in case of a nuclear meltdown
Nuclear meltdown
Nuclear meltdown is an informal term for a severe nuclear reactor accident that results in core damage from overheating. The term is not officially defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency or by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission...
and prevent it from escaping the containment building
Containment building
A containment building, in its most common usage, is a steel or reinforced concrete structure enclosing a nuclear reactor. It is designed, in any emergency, to contain the escape of radiation to a maximum pressure in the range of 60 to 200 psi...
.
A core catcher is made from a special concrete ceramic to prevent material from trickling through; it also uses material of cooler construction to cool down the core material. The core catcher of the European Pressurized Reactor
European Pressurized Reactor
The EPR is a third generation pressurized water reactor design. It has been designed and developed mainly by Framatome , Electricité de France in France, and Siemens AG in Germany...
(EPR) has 170 m² expansion area and a mass of 500 t.
Reactor types with core catchers, besides the EPR, are: the "Fast Breeder" SNR-300
SNR-300
The Fast Breeder nuclear reactor SNR-300 was built near the town of Kalkar, Germany The Fast Breeder nuclear reactor SNR-300 was built near the town of Kalkar, Germany The Fast Breeder nuclear reactor SNR-300 was built near the town of Kalkar, Germany (located in the federal state of North...
, VVER-1000/428
VVER
The VVER, or WWER, is a series of pressurised water reactors originally developed by the Soviet Union, and now Russia, by OKB Gidropress. Power output ranges from 440 MWe to 1200 MWe with the latest Russian development of the design...
, SWR1000, ESBWR, and Atmea I.
The AES-91, a project of Atomstroyexport
Atomstroyexport
Atomstroyexport is the Russian Federation's nuclear power equipment and service export monopoly. It belongs to Atomenergoprom holding with 49.8% of shares owned by Gazprombank...
, will be the first type of nuclear plant that has a core catcher as standard equipment. Thus, in early 2011, the two reactors of the Chinese Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant
Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant
Tianwan Nuclear Power Station is a large nuclear power station in Lianyungang prefecture level city, Jiangsu province, People's Republic of China. It is considered to be the largest nuclear plant on mainland China...
are the only working nuclear reactors with core catchers.