Passive safety systems used in water-cooled nuclear power reactors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17512/INSTAL.2026.06.03Keywords:
passive safety systems, nuclear reactors, water coolingAbstract
The paper presents an overview of passive safety systems designed for water-cooled nuclear power reactors, with particular emphasis on Generation III and III+ reactors. The operating principles of these systems are described, and they are categorized according to the levels of passivity defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The most important advantages and limitations of passive safety systems are presented, highlighting their high reliability, structural simplicity, and ability to function under power loss conditions, while also noting the limitations resulting from low driving forces and the complexity of thermohydraulic phenomena.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Paweł Mirek (Autor)
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