How does an RBMK reactor explode?

[DurstMischer]

Hi guys,

I had a bit of an incident in my nuclear power plant and my superviser just wont accept the gravity of the situation.

He demands to know how an RBMK reactor explodes and I can't explain it.

Can someone help me out here?

[Jolie Rouge]

The short or the scientific version?

[ryantheskinny]

Originally posted by Jolie Rouge:

The short or the scientific version?

please do us the honor of the Loooong version :)

[Aieonae]

Easy unman your nearest firestation let it burn

[Comrade Sky]

Water gets hot, very hot. Water breaks down. Hydrogen builds up. Hydrogen explodes, blowing up reactor. The end.

[Jolie Rouge]

The long but quite understandable scientific version:

https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/chernobyl-accident.aspx

[JimBarracus]

Had the same issue recently.

It was just a small fire. A coolant pump had a malfunction.
We only measured 3.6 roentgen.
Wasnt great, but not terrible.

Now we continue testing.

[Questlove]

You will continue with 7 fingers and a permanent orange afro.

[TheAmishStig]

If my (admittedly limited) understanding is accurate: Boiling water reactors explode because of steam pressure. The fuel generates heat whether the turbine is running or not (with more heat generated the further withdrawn the control rods are), materials [such as water and various isotopes] become gases, and if the pressure gets too high, pop goes the weasel.

[DurstMischer]

Thank you for these answers comrades!

Unfortunately I was told that I am delusional and was taken to the infirmary.

I must say it is getting quite cramped in here...