(Thermodynamics) In a typical boiling water nuclear reactor (BWR), the fuel in the reactor vessel heats pressurized water flowing through the core. The hot water is then used for power generation. In...

(Thermodynamics) In a typical boiling water nuclear reactor (BWR), the fuel in the reactor vessel heats pressurized water flowing through the core. The hot water is then used for power generation. In case the reactor pressure vessel fails, a secondary containment structure must be provided to avoid the spread of radioactive water. Fig. b shows a simplified diagram of the reactor vessel and containment building. The reactor vessel is 70m³ and contains saturated liquid at 260℃.

(1) How large must the secondary containment building be if the maximum design pressure is 2×10⁵Pa and the space between the reactor and the containment building is initially at zero pressure? You may assume the containment building is adiabatic.

(2) Is this process reversible? Justify your answer. If it is not reversible, determine the entropy generated in the water during the H₂O release process and identify the source(s) of irreversibility.

Extracted text: Typical Boiling-Water Reactor Walls made of concrete and steel Containment Containment Cooling System 3-5 feet thick (1-1.5 meters) building Steamline Reactor Vessel Turbine Generator Separators & Dryers Heater Feedwater Condenser Condensate Pumps Core 1,2 Reactor Feed Pumps vessel MRO Control ITUO Rods Recirculation Pumps Demineralizer Emergency Wat Supply Systetns Containment Structure Schematic of typical boiling water reactor. (b) (a)