What happens if a nuclear reactor is left unattended?

They would not explode (nuclear plants cannot explode like atomic bombs). but they might eventually experience a full or partially meltdown. Initially and for a while, they would likely continue to operate but they would eventually automatically shutdown.

How long can a nuclear reactor run without maintenance?

Reactors run smoothly and reliably for up to two years at a time, but they need maintenance and inspection. Some of this can only be done when the reactor isn’t running. So, the refueling periods—three weeks or so—are periods of intense activity.

What happens if a nuclear reactor stalls?

A meltdown is considered very serious because of the potential for radioactive materials to breach all containment and escape (or be released) into the environment, resulting in radioactive contamination and fallout, and potentially leading to radiation poisoning of people and animals nearby.

Has a nuclear reactor ever had a meltdown?

Serious nuclear power plant accidents include the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (2011), the Chernobyl disaster (1986), the Three Mile Island accident (1979), and the SL-1 accident (1961). Nuclear power accidents can involve loss of life and large monetary costs for remediation work.

What is a nuclear reactor and how does it work?

Nuclear reactors are the heart of a nuclear power plant. They contain and control nuclear chain reactions that produce heat through a physical process called fission. That heat is used to make steam that spins a turbine to create electricity. With more than 440 commercial reactors worldwide. (link is external)

How does a nuclear power plant work without humans?

Even without humans, nuclear power plants have automated protocols like SCRAM, which can shut down the reactor completely. The control systems are updated to the point that, as long as mainline and backup power is present, it will keep the reactor in a stable state until the fuel runs dry.

What happens to the water in a nuclear power plant?

This is because water from the nuclear reactor is radioactive and never leaves the nuclear reactor. Water in the steam generator is converted to steam, which is carried to the generators.

How long would an unmanned nuclear reactor last?

The amount of time an unmanned nuclear reactor would last given the above scenarios would be a week, This time frame has been concluded upon after studying the timeline of failure of Fukushima and Chernobyl. FUN FACT: Read about the elephant’s foot, the nuclear fuel deposit at the bottom of the Chernobyl plant!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AguFjNrQLH0