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In a nuclear power plant, the nuclear reactors are (generally) fission reactors that split atoms (of nuclear fuel) through a continuous, controlled neutron chain reaction. The primary useful product of a nuclear reactor is heat. The heat is used to generate steam that will drive steam turbines to generate electric power. Reactors are also used to produce nuclear material that is then applied to medicine or to make sources for radiography (x-ray pictures of welds and stuff) and other applications. There are other applications, like the generation of plutonium which is used for weapons or fuel for other reactors. Most reactors are designed, constructed and used to generate electric power. These reactors are set up to deliver large quantities of heat that is used to produce steam. This steam is used to drive steam-driven turbines, which generate electricity. There is a ton of information about the types of reactors and the applications to which they are put available from our friends at Wikipedia. A link is provided.
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How does nuclear reactor works to produce electricity?
In a nuclear reactor, nuclear reactions create heat by splitting atoms or combining them. This heat is used to produce steam, which drives a turbine connected to a generator. The generator then converts mechanical energy into electricity that can be distributed to power homes and businesses.
What is the function of reflector and reactor core?
The reflector in a nuclear reactor helps to reflect neutrons back into the reactor core, increasing the chances of nuclear reactions occurring. The reactor core is where the nuclear reactions take place, generating heat that is used to produce electricity.
A reactor does not produce what?
Carbon dioxide, oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, acetylene, methane, cyanides, and many more. The main concerns for a nuclear reactor are the potential for radiation leaks and the warming of adjacent waterways.
What is the primary function of fuel rods in a nuclear reactor?
The primary function of fuel rods in a nuclear reactor is to contain and control the nuclear fuel, such as uranium, that undergoes fission reactions to produce heat for generating electricity.
Is power reactor a thermal reactor?
Yes, a power reactor is a type of thermal reactor. Power reactors use nuclear fission to produce heat, which is then used to generate electricity. The heat generated in the reactor comes from the controlled chain reaction of nuclear fission, making it a thermal reactor.
What is the purpose a nuclear reactor?
To produce heat.
What is the main use of nuclear reactor?
To produce electricity
What is the only thing that a nuclear reactor can do?
Produce heat (energy) from nuclear fission.
How does nuclear reactor works to produce electricity?
In a nuclear reactor, nuclear reactions create heat by splitting atoms or combining them. This heat is used to produce steam, which drives a turbine connected to a generator. The generator then converts mechanical energy into electricity that can be distributed to power homes and businesses.
What is a device that harness a controlled nuclear chain reaction to produce useful energy?
A nuclear reactor will do what is asked here. Use the link below to the related question about what a nuclear reactor is.
What is the function of reflector and reactor core?
The reflector in a nuclear reactor helps to reflect neutrons back into the reactor core, increasing the chances of nuclear reactions occurring. The reactor core is where the nuclear reactions take place, generating heat that is used to produce electricity.
What is the name of the fuel used in the nuclear reactor?
The fuel used in a nuclear reactor is typically uranium. Specifically, the most common type of uranium used is uranium-235, which undergoes nuclear fission to produce energy in the reactor.
How are breeder reactors and nuclear reactor different?
The breeder reactor produce more fissile fuel than what is consumed while this is not the case for other nuclear reactors.
What is artificial nuclear reactor?
An artificial nuclear reactor is a device that initiates and controls a sustained nuclear chain reaction. This reaction produces heat, which is used to produce electricity in nuclear power plants. The fission process in these reactors generates energy by splitting atomic nuclei.
What is the place where controlled nuclear fission reactions take place?
The place where controlled nuclear fission reactions take place is called a nuclear reactor. In a nuclear reactor, uranium atoms are split in a controlled manner to produce heat energy, which is used to generate electricity.
How much power does a nuclear plant produce?
Up to 1500MWe per reactor
What is the difference between nuclear power plant and nuclear reactor?
It's really just a matter of degree, all reactors produce some power. Those used in a power plant will produce perhaps 3000 to 5000 Megawatts thermal. Low power reactors producing a few kilowatts are used for experiments, teaching in universities, and for producing radioisotopes by irradiating samples, but reactors in this sort of power level would not be harnessed to produce electricity, the heat produced if large enough would be removed and rejected to the atmosphere or to a water cooling circuit. This makes them simple to operate and to start and stop as required.
