Vessel

The OPEN100 reactor vessel is a heavy walled, cylindrical, vessel with the same fuel assembly height in the core as most PWRs; but it is a much smaller diameter. It contains the core assembly, neutron shielding, control drum/rod drives and instrumentation with reactor coolant entries and exits above the core to ensure that the core is submerged in coolant. Contrary to most PWRs, it is a solid, corrosion resistant material and not carbon steel with a thin cladding.