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Used reactor fuel still produces heat after shutdown

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

Questions you could explore

  • Why does stopping a chain reaction not remove the need for cooling?
  • How does pool water provide shielding as well as a route for removing heat from used fuel?

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Used reactor fuel still produces heat after shutdown | Speech Topic | speaking.app