Chernobyl alarm: nuclear reactions detected

The sarcophagus

The “sarcophagus” built around the reactor a year after the accident had allowed rainwater to pass through, water which slows down neutrons and thus increases the probability of collision with uranium, then generating more chain reactions by fission of the uranium nucleus. Coinciding with heavy rains, the neutron counter would skyrocket, but would then return to normal levels.

The new cover was also supposed to protect the reactor from water, and that’s what it did. Until in some places the neutrons start to grow again, almost doubling in four years. The assumption is that as the interior dries up, collisions between neutrons and uranium atoms are easier. To be like that the fission reaction could accelerate exponentially, releasing nuclear energy in an uncontrolled manner.

“An accident cannot be ruled out”

“There are many uncertainties, but we cannot rule out the possibility of an accident”, added his colleague from the Institute, Maxim Saveliev, noting that “the number of neutrons is slowly increasing”. When the reactor core melted andIn 1986, uranium rods used as fuel, their zirconium coating, graphite rods and sand were dumped, like lava. They fell into the basement of the reactor entrance where they petrified in what is called Fcm (Material containing fuel) in which They find 170 tons of irradiated uranium.