3. VVER reactor safety

VVERs are pressurized water reactors whose main functional characteristics are similar to those of Western reactors (refer to  [BN 3 101] for general description). However, there are some notable differences :

• materials (steel grades used) ;

• the design of steam generators, which are horizontal in the case of VVER ;

• the fuel, with uranium oxide pellets with a central hole and rods distributed according to a triangular pitch ;

• ...