Staying inside and doing experiments all the time is quite boring. This week in our Energy Sustainability class we went to MIT to see an actual Nuclear Reactor!
For those who do not know what nuclear reactors are. A nuclear reactor is a system that contains and controls sustained nuclear chain reactions. Reactors generate electricity, move aircraft carriers and submarines, produce medical isotopes for imaging and cancer treatment, and for conduct research.
When we arrived we had to go inside of a air sealing tunnel and then into the actually building where the nuclear reactor was. The nuclear reactor was encased in a blue dome which was a precaution if the nuclear reactor gave any problems. The walls were thick so probably none of the nuclear waste could reach the outside and possibly contaminate something.
MIT NUCLEAR REACTOR:
As explained to us when the group arrived at the MIT nuclear reactor location, the reactor was just a small reactor compared to most of the reactors in the world. The name of the MIT nuclear reactor is MITR-II and it is a tank type reactor. That means it has two tanks. One of the tanks for light water coolant moderator and the other one for heavy water reflector.
“The fuel elements of uranium are positioned in a hexagonal core structure, 38 cm (15 inches) across, at the bottom of the core tank. Power is controlled by six shim blades and an automatic regulating rod. The pressure in the system is practically atmospheric, and the maximum temperature approximately 50 C (120 F). An exterior shield of dense concrete makes it possible for research workers and students to conduct experiments and training without radiation hazards.” – http://web.mit.edu/nrl/www/reactor/reactor.htm
MITR-II fuel is fifteen fuel plates in a rhomboid-shaped element. Each fuel plate has fuel sandwiched between sides of aluminum cladding. The cladding is also finned to increase the heat transfer surface area. The uranium fuel is in a uranium-aluminum matrix called cermet.
The reactor is refueled about 3-4 times a year. It depends on how much the reactor has been used. Refueling can mean replacing two or three fuel elements with more fuel or a complete rearrangement of the core. The waste is picked up by the company supplying the fuel.
The group also visited the control room. It was basically a room where someone had to work and it told you if anything was wrong with the reactor by making noises. Little panels that lit up told which part of the reactor was the problem. Leaving the reactor every0ne had to be scanned by a machine to make sure no one had nuclear stuff on their clothes. The tour guide told us that if we did it wouldn’t be a huge deal we’d just have to wash our hands or shoes thoroughly.
Overall, it was a fun trip. I feel like I learned much more about nuclear reactors and their uses. I hope I provided a decent explanation of our trip!
For more information about the MIT reactor visit their website at http://web.mit.edu/nrl/www/index.html to learn more about the MITR-II reactor and nuclear reactors in general.
Darwin,
I liked all the information you wrote on your blog. I thought it was clear and concise. I especially liked the pictures. It further increased the clarity of your blog.
Bijan Adams
hi,
this a great blog. The information explains perfectly what the nuclear reactor is and how it works. It seems like you put in some more effort in researching more about the plant. the pictures help a lot. good job!