1. Explain how system characteristics may have had a role in this accident.

• Tightly coupled – best example here is the positive void coefficient where the reactor could rapidly increase in power.

•  Nonlinear interactions – with reactivity, and steam separator relationships

•  Not reversible or at least not easily reversible – certainly the explosion could not be reversed.

•  No real buffers

(3 marks for at least 3 reasons)