Chernobyl

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fell to about 30 MW where the positive void coefficient became a problem. The operators tried to raise the power by freeing all the control rods manually and at 01:00 hr. on April 26 the reactor stabilized at 200 MW. Within a short time, an increase in coolant flow and a drop in steam pressure required the operators to withdraw nearly all the rods. The reactor became very unstable and the operators had to make adjustments every few seconds to maintain a constant power. By this time, the operators reduced the flow of feedwater to maintain the steam pressure. Also, pumps that were powered by the slowing turbine provided less and less cooling to the reactor. This created additional steam in the cooling channels and the operators could not control a power surge estimated to 100 times the normal power. The sudden increase in temperature caused part of the fuel to rupture; fuel particles then reacted with the water creating a steam explosion, which destroyed the reactor core. A ...

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