The Mark III primary containment consists of several major components, many of which can be seen below. The drywell (13) is a cylindrical, reinforced concrete structure with a removable head. The drywell is designed to withstand and confine steam generated during a pipe rupture inside the containment and to channel the released steam into the suppression pool (10) via the weir wall (11) and the horizontal vents (12). The suppression pool contains a large volume of water for rapidly condensing steam directed to it. A leak tight, cylindrical, steel containment vessel (2) surround the drywell and the suppression pool to prevent gaseous and particulate fission products from escaping to the environment following a pipe break inside containment.
