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Generation of electricity in a nuclear station is similar to a coal-fired steam station. The difference is the source of heat. Fission, or splitting, of uranium atoms replaces the burning of coal as the source of heat.
When you take a loose neutron and you get it to collide into a uranium-235 atom, the atom will split and release energy and 3 more neutrons, causing a chain reaction. This chain reaction causes other uranium-235 atoms to split as well. This would get out of hand very quickly so metal rods are installed into the reactor's core that absorb 2/3 of the neutrons that are released from the reactions that have occurred. So the reaction is controlled, and it produces a great deal of heat. The heat is used to boil water, and the steam is then used to produce electricity in turbines.
1. The Fuel
The fuel used in nuclear generation is uranium 235. It is manufactured as small round pellets. A single pellet is less than an inch long, but produces the energy equivalent to a ton of coal. The pellets are placed end to end into fuel rods 12 feet long. Over 200 of these rods are grouped into what is known as a fuel assembly.
2. Reactor
The process of producing electricity begins when uranium atoms are split (i.e. fission) by particles known as neutrons. Uranium 235 has a unique quality that causes it to break apart when it collides with a neutron. Once an atom of uranium 235 is split, neutrons from the uranium atom are free to collide with other atoms of the uranium 235. A chain reaction begins and the chain reaction produces heat. This reaction is controlled by rods which absorb neutrons.
Control rods are inserted among the fuel assembly rods that hold the uranium pellets. When they are in place, they absorb the atomic particles that would normally initiate the chain reaction. When they are withdrawn from the fuel assembly, fission is allowed to occur.
3. Pressurizer
The heat produced in the reactor is transferred to the first of three water systems: the primary coolant. The primary coolant is heated to over 600 degrees Fahrenheit. In a pressurized water reactor, a pressurizer keeps the water under pressure to prevent it from boiling.
4. Steam Generator
The hot, pressurized 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.
The primary and secondary systems are closed systems. This means that the water flowing through the reactor remains separate and does not mix with the water from the other system or the lake.
5. Turbine
The steam is piped from the containment building into the turbine building to push the giant blades of 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.
6. Condenser Coolant
After turning the turbines, the steam 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.
7. Lake or Cooling Towers
At some nuclear stations, 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 (for cooling) and eventually enters the main part of the lake.
At other plants such as Catawba Nuclear Station, the condenser cooling water is circulated through cooling towers to remove the extra heat it has gained. The water is pumped to the top of the cooling towers and is allowed to pour down through the structure. At the same time, a set of fans at the top of each tower pulls air up through the condenser water. This lowers the temperature of the water by about 24 degrees. After it is cooled, the condenser water flows back into the turbine building to begin its work of condensing steam again.
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What else can I help you with?
Is fission nuclear energy chemical energy or mechanical energy?
Nuclear fission is a type of nuclear reaction that converts nuclear energy into thermal energy (heat), which can then be used to generate mechanical energy (such as electricity). So, fission nuclear energy originates as nuclear energy and can be converted into mechanical energy.
What energy is the energy that is stored in an atoms nucleus?
The energy stored in an atom's nucleus is nuclear energy. This energy is released through processes like nuclear fusion or fission, which involve manipulating the nucleus of an atom to release large amounts of energy.
Is nuclear energy potential energy or kinetic energy?
Nuclear energy is a form of potential energy.
Is there nuclear energy in nuclear bombs?
Yes, there is nuclear energy in nuclear bombs. It is released in a few microseconds when they are detonated.
What is a catchy title for nuclear energy?
"Powering the Future: The Bright Side of Nuclear Energy"
Why do America need nuclear energy?
What it needs is energy. Nuclear energy is just one of many options to get energy.
Does nuclear energy need a medium?
Yes
How can nuclear energy be tranferred in to kinetic energy?
This seems very unlikely. Nuclear reactors need a lot of heavy shielding so are not suitable for transport purposes
Is fusion nuclear energy or chemical energy?
Nuclear fusion produces nuclear energy
Is nuclear energy a chemical energy?
The energy released is nuclear energy.
Is fission nuclear energy chemical energy or mechanical energy?
Nuclear fission is a type of nuclear reaction that converts nuclear energy into thermal energy (heat), which can then be used to generate mechanical energy (such as electricity). So, fission nuclear energy originates as nuclear energy and can be converted into mechanical energy.
What energy is the energy that is stored in an atoms nucleus?
The energy stored in an atom's nucleus is nuclear energy. This energy is released through processes like nuclear fusion or fission, which involve manipulating the nucleus of an atom to release large amounts of energy.
Are there any technical advances need to take place before nuclear energy can be usable?
Nuclear energy is already very usable - 104 reactors in the US alone.
How can nuclear energy benefit America?
Nuclear energy is a alternate fuel source to coal that can create large amounts of energy without polluting the air with carbon dioxide. Installing these in America would lower the need and demand for foeign oil and fuel. However there is a downside to nuclear energy; the nuclear reactor may overhaet and explode.
Can nuclear energy work with other forms of energy?
Nuclear energy is converted to electrical energy in a nuclear power plant.
How are nuclear reactors useful?
They produce electrical energy. Humans need a lot of that.
Are there any uses of nuclear energy?
Are there any uses of Nuclear Energy? Are there any uses of Nuclear Energy?
