Nuclear Energy
RBMK Plant
A Soviet graphite-moderated, light-water-cooled channel reactor, including the Chernobyl design.
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Labelled system
Explore in 3D
Original ENERGY ATLAS schematic. Interactive 3D is opt-in on this page.
Moderator structure.
Overview
RBMK reactors use graphite moderation and boiling light-water coolant in individual channels. The combination produced a positive void coefficient in the original design, a key factor in the 1986 Chernobyl accident. Later modifications improved shutdown and void behaviour.
How it works
Fuel channels pass through a graphite stack. Water coolant can boil in the channels. Steam is separated and sent to turbines. The design allowed on-power refuelling.
Components
Graphite stack
Moderator structure.
Fuel channels
Pressure tubes with fuel and coolant.
Keep exploring
Articles
RBMK Type Reactor
The Soviet RBMK reactor uses graphite as a moderator and light water, that boils in the channels, as a coolant. Chernobyl reactor was of RBMK type.
3 min read
INES and Nuclear Accidents
The International Nuclear Event Scale ranks events. Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima are the reference severe accidents.
6 min read