Graphite-moderated reactor

A graphite- core reactor is a nuclear reactor, in which graphite is used as a moderator. The heat can be removed either by gas or by water.

The first, built by Enrico Fermi reactor Chicago Pile 1 was a graphite- reactor.

Graphite-moderated reactors can be built so that a facility with natural uranium is possible. A disadvantage of the graphite-moderated reactor is the combustibility of graphite, which is also the effects of the Chernobyl disaster reinforced. Graphite-moderated reactors with water cooling as the RBMK have a positive void coefficient, which can lead to disaster in the event of a fault. Helium -cooled graphite-moderated nuclear reactors, such as the high-temperature reactor are safer.

The graphite-moderated reactors include:

• ADE - reactor
• Advanced Gas -cooled Reactor
• AMB reactor
• High-temperature reactor
• MKER
• Magnox reactor
• RBMK
• UNGG reactor

Graphite-moderated reactors are typically greater than light-water reactors, as the moderating property of graphite is less pronounced than that of hydrogen.