Re:Quiz & Burning Graphite/ Wigner Energy

[Chuck Cooper <ccc@pp.pdx.edu>]

As I understand it the graphite "burn" is assisted by the energy released by

the Wigner effect which is energy stored in the graphite lattice from

exposure to a neutron flux, causing high internal heat in the graphite when

it is released by heating.



I think it was also  implicated in the Chernobyl accident.



See: http://www.newscientist.com/news/news_224334.html



"Reynolds, Harold" wrote:



> Am I mistaken??  Wasn't it the graphite that burned in the Chernobly and

> Windscale fires?

>

> Harry

> Harold.Reynolds@RFETS.gov

>

> > -----Original Message-----

> > From: Paul William Shafer [SMTP:paulwilliam_s@YAHOO.COM]

> > Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 11:18 PM

> > To:   Emil Murat; radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

> > Subject:      Re: Graphite Quiz: Re: Chapelcross -(2)

> >

> > Graphite is really not that flammable (try burning it). Without

> > going into all of the physics involved it requires

> > very high graphite internal heat to produce the

> > reaction C + 02    -------   CO.



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