Research

Research Highlight

Research Highlight

Siphon breaking

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2017-02-07 15:59:54 / 1690

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Research reactors are nuclear reactors which were developed for neutron based research industry rather than for power generation. Water in the reactor pool acts as the moderator, reflector, and shielding barrier to radioactivity from the nuclear reactor fuel rods. Moreover, the coolant in the reactor pool provides the ultimate heat sink during accidents in which the pump of primary cooling system stops working. The quantity of coolant is strongly related to the length of time for which safety can be maintained between the onset of coolant loss and exposure of the fuel rods after the occurrence of such accidents. For these reasons, the water level in the reactor pool must be maintained higher than the minimum safe level. If the pipe ruptures, the siphon phenomenon causes continuous loss of coolant from the reactor pool until the phenomenon is stopped. In extreme cases, the nuclear fuel rods in a reactor pool would be exposed to ambient air. (Fig. 1) To avoid this type of accident, use of a siphon breaker has been suggested as a nuclear safety device for research reactors.