Energy Encyclopedia

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Scram

Nuclear Energy

Rapid emergency shutdown of a reactor.

Scram is the rapid insertion of control absorbers to shut down a reactor. The etymology is historical; the function is universal.

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Articles

Control and Reaction States

The chain fission reaction in a nuclear reactor is controlled by the neutron absorber content. The reactor can be subcritical, critical, or supercritical.

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Glossary

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Control rod

Neutron-absorbing rod for reactor control.