<[email protected]> wrote: This I don't understand. Why can't fission reactors supply electricity to > their > own pumps? IOW why do they automatically shut down completely when grid > connection is lost?
They have steam driven pumps, as well as Diesel ones. Those pumps can be run on the steam left over after a scram. I believe they might even be able to run on the heat during the cool down period, which lasts several days. One thing they do have is multiple backups in case one fails. They cannot supply electricity for their own use only because they are not designed to run at a tiny fraction of regular output, say 0.1%. I believe that is about all they need to keep themselves going. (The energy overhead.) It would like trying to idle your car engine to 1 rpm. - Jed
