Dear Sirs:

If the grid is down, the nuclear plant's pile has to have an active energy source to remove residual heat. The same applies to the spent fuel pit (pumps circulate water). Questions: how long can they cool these two locations with backup (diesel gens) power? Once the diesel fuels gone does the core and spent fuel pool melt down?

Thank You

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1998

Answers

Scroll down and read the previous question:

"Cool down time for Nukes"

I think it will answer yours.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1998

No, it doesn't answer the question. The Nukes need power to cool the system. Where do they get this power from?

The previous answer (in "Cool down time for Nukes") seems to imply that the Nukes will have a supply of power. The real question being askeed is where does that power come from, and how long does it last?

If the whole North American power grid goes down for, say, 45 days, where will the power come from? Do they have a 45 day supply of fuel for whatever backup (non-grid) power supply they use?

What if the grid is down for six months? Can they continue to cool the core for six months without an external power supply?

-- Anonymous, October 29, 1998