0
A simplified nuclear power station consists of as follows - - A nuclear reactor - Turbines, connected to a generator - A water flow system In this simplified station, the nuclear reactor generates large amounts of heat. It does this through the process of nuclear fission, or the breaking apart of atoms to make smaller atoms and a release of energy in the form of radiation. In a typical reactor, the fuel is Uranium. Large uranium rods are brought into a material inside the reactor. This material dampens the reaction, ensuring that it doesn't become too energetic and overheat! Other rods are brought into the reactor to control the rate of the reactions - these are the control rods. When one of the atoms breaks apart, it releases lots of energy. This energy goes into breaking another couple of atoms apart. This mechanism cascades into an exponentially increasing reaction, with more and more atoms breaking apart. Without the control rods present, the heat generated would be too great for the container and the system would fail! This heat is passed into the water flow system. The heated water turns to rapidly expanding and moving steam, and this rapid movement powers the generator, which in turn generates electricity. So as you can see, the more heat the reactor is producing, the more electricity will be produced at the other end. The rods are replaced when around 3% of their uranium mass is used up. They are then melted down, refined, and used again. This process is very clean - much cleaner than a coal or gas power station! However, the waste materials are quite large, such as the depleted uranium and waste water. Nuclear power is still the power generation source of the future time though!
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoThe reactor core produces heat as a result of the nuclear fission chain reaction, and the heat is used to produce steam to drive a conventional steam turbine/generator.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoThe heat generated by the nuclear fission is transformed in electrical energy.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How much electricity is produced by nuclear power?
1.7% of Pakistan electricity is produced by nuclear power stations
How is nuclear energy used to produce electricity?
Nuclear energy, or nuclear power, uses exothermic nuclear processes to produce electricity. Nuclear power plants provide around 10% of the world's electricity.
What do nuclear power plants have to do with nuclear energy?
Nuclear power plants produce electricity by using nuclear energy
How do nuclear power stations operate?
Basically, all power stations adopt the same method to produce electricity. A turbine is caused torotate. A generator is attached to the shaft of the turbine. As the turbine turns, electricity is produced inthe generator. This electricity is sent out through transmission lines to a distribution station of theElectricity Board.In hydroelectric power stations, the turbine is turned by flowing water. In thermal power stations,steam is produced by heating water in a furnace which burns coal or oil. In nuclear power stations, thesteam is produced by the heat generated in the fission process.
How is most of the electricity in the US produce?
The biggest source by far is still from coal burning power stations, other large sources are natural gas, nuclear, and hydro power
Where is nuclear How and where it is used?
Nuclear Power is used in power stations to produce electricity
How much electricity is produced by nuclear power?
1.7% of Pakistan electricity is produced by nuclear power stations
Why were power stations built?
To produce electricity
How is nuclear energy used to produce electricity?
Nuclear energy, or nuclear power, uses exothermic nuclear processes to produce electricity. Nuclear power plants provide around 10% of the world's electricity.
Does a nuclear power plant produces electricity?
Yes, nuclear power plants produce electric power (electricity).
Coal is used as fuel to produce what?
in power stations to produce electricity,,,
What do nuclear power stations produce very little of that are dangerous?
Nuclear waste.
What do you know about power stations what are they and why are they needed?
Power stations produce electricity, and we need them because electricity is essential to our modern way of life
Uses of nuclear power?
To produce electricity
What do nuclear power plants have to do with nuclear energy?
Nuclear power plants produce electricity by using nuclear energy
How do nuclear power stations operate?
Basically, all power stations adopt the same method to produce electricity. A turbine is caused torotate. A generator is attached to the shaft of the turbine. As the turbine turns, electricity is produced inthe generator. This electricity is sent out through transmission lines to a distribution station of theElectricity Board.In hydroelectric power stations, the turbine is turned by flowing water. In thermal power stations,steam is produced by heating water in a furnace which burns coal or oil. In nuclear power stations, thesteam is produced by the heat generated in the fission process.
How is most of the electricity in the US produce?
The biggest source by far is still from coal burning power stations, other large sources are natural gas, nuclear, and hydro power
