China Syndrome

[DVTimes]

The China Syndrome is a fanciful term coined by an American physicist in 1971 to describe a possible result of a severe nuclear meltdown in which molten reactor core components penetrate its containment vessel and building. The phrase is hyperbole, since molten material from such an event could not melt through the crust of the Earth and reach China.

History and usageNuclear power plants ordered during the late 1960s raised safety questions and created fears that a severe reactor accident could release large quantities of radioactive material into the environment. In the early 1970s, a controversy arose regarding the ability of emergency cooling systems to prevent a core meltdown, which might lead to the so-called China Syndrome. This issue was discussed in the popular media and technical journals.

In 1971, nuclear physicist Ralph Lapp used the term "China syndrome" to describe a possible burn-through, following a loss of coolant accident of the reactor containment structures and the subsequent escape of radioactive material into the environment. His statements were based on the report of a task force of nuclear physicists headed by Dr. W.K. Ergen, published in 1967.The dangers of such a hypothetical accident were popularized by the 1979 film, The China Syndrome.

The name, itself, comes from the idea that, to many Americans, "the other side of the world" is China.

Possible Effects of a Catastrophic MeltdownThe 'China Syndrome' refers to a possible result of the catastrophic meltdown of a nuclear reactor. Also called a loss of coolant accident, the scenario begins when something causes the coolant level in a reactor vessel to drop, uncovering part?or all?of the fuel rod assemblies. Even if the nuclear chain reaction has been stopped through use of control rods or other devices, the fuel continues to produce significant residual heat for some time. If not properly cooled, the fuel assemblies may soften and melt, falling to the bottom of the reactor vessel. There, without neutron-absorbing control rods to prevent it, nuclear fission could resume but, in the absence of a neutron moderator, might not. Regardless, without adequate cooling, the temperature of the molten fuel could increase to the point where it melts through the structures containing it. Although many feel the radioactive slag would stop at or before the subterranean aquifer, such a series of events would release large quantities of radioactive material into the atmosphere and groundwater, potentially causing damage to the local environment's plant and animal life.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Syndrome

[DVTimes]

[DVTimes]