What does a nuclear reactor produce?
Nuclear reactors are the heart of a nuclear power plant. They contain and control nuclear chain reactions that produce heat through a physical process called fission. That heat is used to make steam that spins a turbine to create electricity.
What are the features of nuclear reactor?
Components of a nuclear reactor
- Fuel.
- Moderator.
- Control rods or blades.
- Coolant.
- Pressure vessel or pressure tubes.
- Steam generator.
- Containment.
How much does a nuclear reactor produce?
A typical nuclear reactor produces 1 gigawatt (GW) of electricity. That doesn’t mean you can simply replace it with a 1 gigawatt coal or renewable plant.
What are the major components of nuclear reactor Expalin its functions?
Explain its essential parts with their functions. The essential components of a nuclear reactor are (i) fuel, (ii) moderator, (iii) control rod, (iv) coolant and (v) protection wall. (i) Fuel: A fissile material is used as the fuel.
How do nuclear reactors produce electricity?
Nuclear power comes from nuclear fission Nuclear power plants heat water to produce steam. The steam is used to spin large turbines that generate electricity. Nuclear power plants use heat produced during nuclear fission to heat water. In nuclear fission, atoms are split apart to form smaller atoms, releasing energy.
What are the uses of nuclear reactor?
A nuclear reactor, formerly known as an atomic pile, is a device used to initiate and control a fission nuclear chain reaction or nuclear fusion reactions. Nuclear reactors are used at nuclear power plants for electricity generation and in nuclear marine propulsion.
Which of the following forms the basis of a nuclear reactor?
Explanation: In a chain reaction, the fast-moving neutrons are absorbed by certain substances known as moderators such as heavy water, then the number of fissions can be controlled and the chain reaction in such a case is known as a controlled chain reaction. This forms the basis of a nuclear reactor.
How do nuclear reactors generate electricity?
A reactor core contains many fuel assemblies. The heat produced during nuclear fission in the reactor core is used to boil water into steam, which turns the blades of a steam turbine. As the turbine blades turn, they drive generators that make electricity.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear reactors?
Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power stations
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Does not contribute to global warming. | Local thermal pollution from wastewater affects marine life. |
| Very low fuel costs. | Large-scale accidents can be catastrophic. |