What is Nuclear Power? This site focuses on nuclear power plants and nuclear energy. The primary purpose is to provide a knowledge base not only for experienced.

A nuclear power plant is a thermal power plant in which a nuclear reactor generates large amounts of heat. This heat is used to generate steam (directly or via steam generator) which drives a steam turbine connected to a generator that produces electricity.

Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction or a decay process, in which the heavy nucleus splits into smaller parts (lighter nuclei). The fission process often produces free neutrons and photons (in the form of gamma rays) and releases a large amount of energy.

After the coolant leaves the discharge side of the pump, it will enter the cold leg and continue to the reactor. The coolant will then pass through the nuclear core and through the fuel, where it collects heat and is sent back to the steam generators. The main components of a reactor coolant pump. Electric motor.

Typically most nuclear power plants operate multi-stage condensing steam turbines. In these turbines, the high-pressure stage receives steam (this steam is nearly saturated steam – x = 0.995 – point C at the figure) from a steam generator and exhausts it to a moisture separator-reheater (point D).

The thermal utilization factor, f, is the fraction of the thermal neutrons that are absorbed in the nuclear fuel, in all isotopes of the nuclear fuel. It describes how effectively (how well they are utilized) thermal neutrons are absorbed in the fuel.

Feb 11, 2014 · The PHWRs can be refueled while at full power, which makes them very efficient in their use of uranium (it allows for precise flux control in the core). The PHWRs use a natural uranium as fuel (in the form of ceramic UO2).

Oct 31, 2014 · It is one the most common types of nuclear reactors. A boiling water reactor is cooled and moderated by water like a PWR, but at a lower pressure (7MPa), which allows the water to boil inside the pressure vessel producing the steam that runs the turbines.

In nuclear reactors, which use enriched uranium as a fuel, such increased content of 234U is acceptable. Undesirable concentrations may be reached when using reprocessed uranium because spent nuclear fuel may contain a much higher concentration of about 0.01% of 234 U.

Zohuri B., McDaniel P. Thermodynamics in Nuclear Power Plant Systems. Springer; 2015, ISBN: 978-3-319-13419-2 Moran Michal J., Shapiro Howard N. Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, Fifth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2006, ISBN: 978-0-470-03037-0