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Why is reactor fuel moved under water?

Switching off a reactor does not immediately remove the heat from its used fuel. In the water-cooled transfer arrangement described by the US Department of Energy, fuel stays underwater as it moves to a storage pool. Water provides cooling and radiation shielding during a journey that still matters after the chain reaction has stopped.

3–5 min

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  • Why does stopping a chain reaction not remove the need for cooling?

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Why is reactor fuel moved under water? | Speech Topic | speaking.app