1011+How+a+Nuclear+Power+Plant+Works

=How a Nuclear Power Plant Works=

There are many parts to a Nuclear Power Plant. There is the Fuel, the Reactor, the Pressurizer, the Steam Generator, the Turbine, the Condenser Coolant, and the Lake or Cooking Towers, and more. Nuclear Power Plants have been around for a very long time in history. Here's how a nuclear power plant works.



The Fuel
In the nuclear generation the fuel used is Uranium 235. It's manufactured as round small pellets. One pellet is less than an inch long, but produces the energy equal to a ton of coal. Pellets are placed end to end in an 12 foot long fuel rod. Over 200 rods are grouped into what is known as a fuel assembly.[1]

The Reactor
When uranium atoms are split, by particles known as neutrons, the process of producing electricy can begin. Uranium 235 has a unique quality that causes it to break once it connects with neutron. Once an atom of uranium 235 is split neutrons from the atom are free to collide with other atoms of the uranium 235. A chain reaction begins and the chain reaction produces heat.Rods which absorb neutrons control this reaction.Control rods are inserted among the fuel assembly rods that hold the uranium pellets.They absorb the atomic particles that would normally initate the chain reaction when they are in place. When they are withdrawn from the fuel assembly, [|fission] is allowed to occur.[1] There are different kinds of reactors like, the [|pressurized water reactor], the [|light water reactor], and the [|boiling water reactor]. [3]

The Pressurizer
The heat produced in the reactor is transferred to first of three water systems: The primary coolant. The primarty coolant is heated to over 600 degrees Fahrenheit. To prevent water from boiling in a pressureized water reactor, a pressureizer keeps the water under pressure.[1]

The Steam Generator
The hot pressureized water passes through thousands of tubes in nearby steam generators.These tubes are surrounded by another water system called the secondary coolant.The heat from the primary coolant is transferred to the secondary coolant, which then turns into steam.[2] The primary and secondayr systems are closed systems. That means the water flowing through the reactor remains seperate and does not mix with the water from the other system or lake.[1]

The Turbine
The steam is piped from the containment building into the [|turbine] building to push the giant blade sof a turbine. The turbine is connected to an electric generator by a rotating shaft. As the turbine blades begin to spin, a magnet inside the generator also turns to produce electricity.[1]

The Condenser Coolant
After turning the turbines, the systems is cooled by passing it over tubes carrying a third water system called the condenser coolant or lake water. The steam is cooled so it condenses back into water and is returned to the steam generator to be used again and again.[1]

The Lake or Cooling Towers
At some nuclear station, such as Oconee and McGuire, lake water flows through thousands of condenser tubes to condense steam back to water. It is then discharged down a long canal, to cool, and eventually enters the main part of the lake. At other plants the condenser cooling water is circulated through cooling towers to remove extra heat that was gained. The water goes to the top of the cooling tower and pours down the structure. Fans pulls air up through the condenser water.[2] The temperature of the water goes down about 24 degrees. Once the condenser water is cooled it flows back into the turbine buildiing to begin condensing steam again and again.[1]