The only available guide to risk assessment, prevention, and management of accident in LWRs - the most prevalent nuclear reactors in use. Explains how developments in the field of LWR severe accidents have provided more accurate determinations of risk, thereby shedding new light on the debates surrounding nuclear power safety, particularly in light of the recent tragedy in Japan.This book emphasizes the prevention and management of severe accidents to teach nuclear professionals how to mitigate potential risks to the public to the maximum extent possible. - Contents -I. LIGHT WATER REACTOR (LWR) SAFETY, A HISTORICAL REVIEWII. IN-VESSEL CORE DEGRADATIONIII. EARLY CONTAINMENT FAILUREIV. LATE CONTAINMENT FAILUREV. FISSION PRODUCT RELEASE AND TRANSPORTVI. SEVERE ACCIDENT MANAGEMENTVII. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF THE ACCIDENTVIII. INTEGRAL CODES FOR SEVERE ACCIDENT ANALYSESAPPENDIX 1: Corium thermodynamics and thermophysicsAPPENDIX 2: Severe accidents in CANDU (PHWR)