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Sea water is used to cool nuclear reactors in emergency situations when fresh water is not available. We usually find very pure water used in nuclear reactors as a primary coolant. This water stays quite pure and retains little radiation after shutdown and cooldown. But if an emergency situation arises and the "regular" primary coolant (the fresh water) is lost, it must be replaced with any water to cool the reactor. Sea water is better than nothing.

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What material can be used to cool down a nuclear meltdown?

One material that can be used to cool down a nuclear meltdown is water. It is commonly used as a coolant in nuclear reactors to absorb excess heat. Other materials like liquid sodium or helium may also be used in some reactor designs.


How are nuclear reactors used in nuclear reactors?

Nuclear reactors use controlled nuclear fission reactions to generate heat, which is then used to produce steam that drives turbines to generate electricity. The heat is produced in the reactor core where nuclear fuel rods containing uranium or plutonium undergo fission reactions. The reactor's cooling system helps regulate the temperature and prevent overheating.


Why do nuclear reactors have to be located near water?

Water is used as coolant in most reactor plants to keep the reactor cool and prevent over heating. They do not necessarily need to be near a source of water; water just has to be available. However, a lot of nuclear reactors are build by a natural source of water so that the water can be used as an emergency source of coolant to keep the reactor covered with water in case of a rupture.


Most of the world's nuclear reactors are of the type?

Most are lightwater moderated and cooled, these are the PWR and BWR. There also a substantial number of heavy water reactors, based on CANDU, and gas cooled reactors mainly now in the UK.


Why water is used as a coolant to some nuclear reactors?

Water is commonly used as a coolant in nuclear reactors because it has a high heat capacity, meaning it can absorb large amounts of heat without increasing in temperature significantly. Water also acts as a moderator, slowing down the neutrons released during fission reactions, facilitating the chain reaction process. Additionally, water is abundant and relatively inexpensive, making it a practical choice for cooling nuclear reactors.

Related Questions

How did the Nuclear reactor get damiged?

If you are talking about the Nuclear Reactors in Japan, they were damaged because when they lost power, the water pumps used to cool them stopped, and all of the nuclear material overheated.


What is the most common coolant used in nuclear reactors?

The most common coolant used in nuclear reactors is water, in either liquid or steam form. Water provides effective heat transfer properties and is readily available and cost-effective. Other coolants, such as liquid sodium or gas, are used in specialized reactors but water-cooled reactors are the most prevalent.


What material can be used to cool down a nuclear meltdown?

One material that can be used to cool down a nuclear meltdown is water. It is commonly used as a coolant in nuclear reactors to absorb excess heat. Other materials like liquid sodium or helium may also be used in some reactor designs.


How are nuclear reactors used in nuclear reactors?

Nuclear reactors use controlled nuclear fission reactions to generate heat, which is then used to produce steam that drives turbines to generate electricity. The heat is produced in the reactor core where nuclear fuel rods containing uranium or plutonium undergo fission reactions. The reactor's cooling system helps regulate the temperature and prevent overheating.


What impact do nuclear power plants have on water resources?

Regular Water is used to cool the reactors, and for steam production. The cooling water evaporates into the air...so it has to be replaced. Therefore the Plant has to have a source of fresh water for replacement.


Where does the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant get its vast water to cool the reactors?

Sewage water. No, seriously. The cooling effect from evaporating water from the sewage of nearby communities is used to keep the circulating (extremely pure) coolant in the sealed cooling systems cool.


What nuclear reaction is currently used to produce nuclear energy in nuclear reactors?

We use nuclear fission in nuclear reactors to tap nuclear energy.


Are lasers used for nuclear reactors?

No, at least not for power reactors


What are the functions of nuclear reactors?

Primarily, nuclear reactors are used to generate heat, which is used to flash water to steam, which is used to spin turbines, which are used to generate electricity. It is also possible to use reactors for research, as well as for weapons development, such as in the generation of weapons grade Plutonium-239.


What can be used as a substitute for nuclear reactors?

No substitute for nuclear power reactors especially if there is no available fossil fuel.


Why do nuclear reactors have to be located near water?

Water is used as coolant in most reactor plants to keep the reactor cool and prevent over heating. They do not necessarily need to be near a source of water; water just has to be available. However, a lot of nuclear reactors are build by a natural source of water so that the water can be used as an emergency source of coolant to keep the reactor covered with water in case of a rupture.


What material is used as heat conductor in nuclear power plant?

It depends. Pressurised water is used in pressurized water reactors (PWR), but molten salt (maybe fluoride?) reactors are said to be better.