We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Materials

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Reactor Vessel?

Andrew Kirmayer
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,647
Share

A reactor vessel is the part of a nuclear power plant that safely houses the reactor core and contains harmful radiation. It is at the heart of the reactor coolant system and consists of a vertically mounted, cylindrical structure. On either end, there is a rounded edge called a closure head, the top one which features nuts and studs for the purpose of removing it. The reactor vessel can be opened to refuel the reactor and access components for control systems in instruments.

The vessel and closure head typically measure about 41 feet (12.5 meters) tall. General measurements include an inside diameter of 171 inches (434.3 cm), while the thickness of the shell wall is 8.4 inches (21.3 cm). A reactor vessel is comprised of an assembly that includes the reactor core, core rods, and other components, such as neutron monitors, steam separators, steam dryers, and jet pumps. Systems for circulating water and coolant are also contained in the pressure vessel.

In a nuclear power plant, a reactor vessel also features emergency core cooling systems. These provide water to prevent the core from overheating if it is exposed due to a rapid decrease in water level. The core plate and top guide serve to separate components at different levels of the vessel. Fuel rods are stored at the bottom, and within this section are control drives as well as hydraulic lines. The rods are protected during refueling by fuel channels, and new fuel rods are placed in the vessel from the bottom in order to regulate the nuclear core’s power.

Various inlets and outlets penetrate the housing of the reactor vessel. These primarily cover the need to bring steam and water in and out of the system to properly maintain it. Nuclear reactor vessels must always be kept in a state of equilibrium in order to function correctly as well as to avert dangerous meltdowns that can pollute the environment with fatal levels of radioactive material. The reactor vessel that is the single most important component for serving this purpose.

Every reactor vessel can be ordered from and built by commercial businesses with the knowledge and expertise needed to build these complex structures from specialized materials. There are various types, but all nuclear reactor vessels perform the same operations. Normal operation of them is what keeps nuclear power plants from becoming unsafe to people and the environment.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Andrew Kirmayer
By Andrew Kirmayer
Andrew Kirmayer, a freelance writer with his own online writing business, creates engaging content across various industries and disciplines. With a degree in Creative Writing, he is skilled at writing compelling articles, blogs, press releases, website content, web copy, and more, all with the goal of making the web a more informative and engaging place for all audiences.
Discussion Comments
Andrew Kirmayer
Andrew Kirmayer
Andrew Kirmayer, a freelance writer with his own online writing business, creates engaging content across various...
Learn more
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-reactor-vessel.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.