Why is coolant used in nuclear power station?

Answer 1

Uranium, usually enriched in U-235, in the form of uranium oxide UO2.
most use yellowcake, a uranium oxide, powder in zirconium cans.

Some use uranium ceramics that can run hotter. Others use uranium metal.

In experimental reactors every imaginable form has been tried, including uranium salt solution and uranium/water slurry. In those the fuel was also the primary loop coolant.
Power stations derive electrical energy by extracting the energy from many different

sources. Here are some that we can think of right at the moment:

-- coal

-- oil

-- natural gas

-- sunshine

-- fissile substances, like enriched uranium and plutonium

-- wind

-- falling water

-- flowing water
Most use a uranium oxide called yellowcake (because it is yellow) sealed in zirconium cans to prevent fission product contamination of the coolant.

Some use metallic uranium.

Some use uranium and/or plutonium in ceramic pellets.

There are many other ways.
Uranium in the form uranium dioxide, UO2, enriched in U-235 to 4-5 percent, and made into rods 10mm dia encased in zircaloy

• Natural uranium in heavy water moderated reactors like the CANDU.
• 3% to 5% enriched uranium in water moderated reactors.
• 20% to 95% enriched uranium in unmoderated fast reactors like breeders.

Answer 2

The coolant (in most cases water) is used to transfer the heat produced in the reactor to some form of electricity generating plant. In a PWR the reactor coolant is used to produce steam in a secondary circuit which then feeds a steam turbine/generator. In a BWR steam is produced directly in the reactor which then feeds the steam turbine directly

Answer 3

The nuclear fuel used in nuclear reactors include: 1. natural uranium (metal or oxide); 2. Uranium dioxide; 3. MOX fuel (Uranium Oxide + Plutonium Oxide); 4. Plutonium Oxide; and in future
5. Thorium fuel

Answer 4

The most common are water and heavy water. Rarely used are helium, sodium, lead, organic compounds. Coolants extract heat from the nuclear fuels to be transformed in electric energy. Also overheating of nuclear elements is avoided.

Answer 5

Coolant is used to get the heat produced in the nuclear fuel and transfers it to steam to turn the turbines that turns the electricity generators to produce electricity.

Answer 6

Water.