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Posted

If I am not mistaken Chernobyl was an old fashion graphite reactor, where enriched uranium fuel rods are moved in and out of the graphite shell into the core. The heat generated is based on the principle of critical geometry. If too much nuke material appears within a given geometric space (mass/distance dependant) the result is a critical event that gives off energy. By adjusting the fuel rods into and out of the critical geometry one can regulate the amount of energy output. The graphite shell is a shield for both the emitted radiation and helps regulate the critical geometry by fully or partially shielding fuel rods. When the cooling system failed, the heat began to build up and ruined the graphite shell causing radioactive stuff to excape into the environment.

 

As a grad student I was fortuneate enough to have an office overlooking the graphite reactor in the graphite reactor museum at the Oak Ridge National Laborary. My office was right next door to where Enrico Fermi had his office, only because of office space limitations at the lab. This office sort of made me part of the musueum exhibit but also formed an interest in graphite reactors by reading Dr Fermi's journals. I particularly liked the entry where he became so excited when he finally got the beast to work.

Posted
Well I don't find it funny...

 

:hihi:

 

Well, a word to the wise: don't go around negrepping people just because you don't understand their jokes.

 

Did you know that duct tape was used to fix stuff on space station Mir, and was important on the Apollo 13 mission? (Nothing goes wrong as long as you have duct tape).

 

Russian technology differs from that of many other countries by not being so fanciful. It does, however, have the advantage of (usually) working, even when broken - and can be fixed with duct tape. But they couldn't fix Chernobyl with it. Hence the joke.

Posted
(Nothing goes wrong as long as you have duct tape).

 

Interesting....I like Duct tape as well....great stuff to play with...:) :D

 

 

You have to admit though, that Russian science is further ahead than that of most countries with such a low income.....with any luck, they should improve the electronics sector of their industry when Putin's reforms have full effect....at the moment that's where their behind....

Posted
You have to admit though, that Russian science is further ahead than that of most countries with such a low income.

 

That is your opinion. But Russia is certainly falling behind in the space sector. I really hope they can maintain their role as a leading space nation. Sojuz is an extremely reliable platform for delivering crew and resources to low Earth orbit.

Posted
That is your opinion.

 

 

That's not opinion... that's fact.... The following link shows countries GDP figures.

 

GDP figures

 

So then....let's see which countries with a similair GDP can so much as match Russia's technologies......

 

Venezuela? -no

Turkey? -no

Siant Lucia? -No

Panama? -no

Malaysia? -no

Gabon? -no

Botswana? No

 

Can any of the one's at Russia's correspond in their technological capabilities? :)

 

P.S. I've got nothing against you Tormod-I know this sounds a bit presumptuous-I just wanted to play with the emoticons a moment!:D :sheepjump: :dance:

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