BACKGROUND ... why we're here

last update April 2, 1996

This WebSite is dedicated to personnel involved in the operation of nuclear reactors, and specifically to those requiring an understanding of the physical process of reactor behavior. At commercial nuclear power plants these personnel are the Nuclear Reactor Operators (and trainees), the Shift Supervisors, the ClassRoom and Simulator Instructors, and the Shift Technical Advisors (STAs). At University reactors these are the Professors, Students, and Operational Staff. At test, research, and special purpose reactors these are the Scientists and Operational Staff. Other students, or individuals, with an interest in the subject are also welcome.

The content of this site offers a new resource for your reactor educational/training program, or for individual study. A series of short essays, published on a biweekly basis, addresses nuclear reactor behavior and why many find difficulty in teaching or in understanding the subject. A nineteenth century American humorous named Josh Billings once said:

"It ain't so much what we don't know that hurts us, as what we do know that ain't so."

As perceptive as Josh was, he's wrong about reactor behavior. In addition to what's known that ain't so, what's not known (or what's omitted) that's necessary, important, and vital, is equally hurtful. The combination of misconception (error) and omission leaves the treatment of reactor behavior in a state of serious disrepair. After 50 years, one might expect something better. One unsettling result is that Reactor Operators, through no fault of their own, do not understand how a reactor works. They are never taught what they really need to know about reactor behavior. Is this just our opinion? No, not exactly. From TMI and Chernobyl, respectively, we have:

"Emphasis was not given to fundamental understanding of the reactor." ... Kemeny Commission - 1979

"The entire Soviet chain of command lacked understanding of reactor behavior." ... G. Medvedev - 1988

So what has been done to correct this serious deficiency? Answer: nothing substantive. But, that's OK. The true concepts needed for real understanding of reactor behavior are provided herein. Use them ... or ignore them, at your own risk. In addition, special features will be added with time. Return to homepage.

Please submit comments, or questions, on the topics presented to:

rstater@pipeline.com