The critical differences in the RBMK reactor compared to a LWR (Light Water Reactor) that directly contributed to the Chernobyl disaster. 1. The flamable graphite moderator in the reactor core that burned in the fire, 2. The positive void coefficient in the water that made possible the power peak that blew the reactor vessel, 3. The control rods were very slow, they took 18-20 seconds to be inserted into the reactor. Moreover they had graphite tips that actually intensified the fission chain reaction in the beginning of the insertion. 4. No containment building at all.
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2008-02-15
self-made, data from IAEA: <i><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub913e_web.pdf">INSAG-7 The Chernobyl Accident: Updating of INSAG-1</a></i>. Vienna, 1992; NEA:<i><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.nea.fr/html/rp/reports/2003/nea3508-chernobyl.pdf">Chernobyl - Assessment of Radiological and Health Impacts</a></i>. Pariisi, 2002; Nakao, M.: <i><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://shippai.jst.go.jp/en/Detail?fn=2&amp;id=CA1000644">Chernobyl Accident</a></i>. University of Tokyo, 2006.