Nuclear Reactors

there are 72 nuclear power reactors under construction (of total power 68374 MW electric) worldwide per the statistics of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as of April 2004.

1. releases large amounts of energy from small amounts of mass

2. very efficient

3. convert nuclear energy into thermal energy

4. the fuel lasts a long time

In a nuclear reactor, electricity is produced through a process called nuclear fission. This process involves splitting uranium atoms, which releases a large amount of energy in the form of heat. The heat is then used to generate steam, which drives turbines connected to generators that produce electricity.

A dangerous condition caused by overheating inside a reactor is known as a meltdown. This occurs when the core of the reactor becomes so hot that it melts, potentially leading to a breach of containment and release of radioactive material.

In a pressurized water reactor, the primary cooling water is kept under high pressure to prevent it from boiling at normal operating temperatures. This pressurized water flows through the reactor core to transfer heat from the nuclear fuel to a secondary system, where the heat is used to generate steam for electricity production.

As of end of August 2013, there are 434 working nuclear power reactors (with total rated power 370.543 Gigawatt plus 69 nuclear power reactors under construction (with total rated power 67.196 Giagawatt).

A nuclear reactor emits radiation. In a PWR reactor, if the reactor temprature is around 650 Degrees, The emission near the reactor core is 2.57 Roentgen. That is the amount of radiation a human is exposed to in around 20 Years.

There is also the dust, This dust if inhaled will cause cancer. If a Nuclear Powerplant explodes the story is different.

Lets take chernobyl NPP for instance.

The vincinity of the reacter core after explosion was 30,000 Roentgens per hour. That is 300 Sieverts per hour. That is enough to kill a man in 20 seconds. The fuel fragments that were realeased outward from the explosion the reactor had 15,000-20,000 Roentgens Pewr hour, And these fragments were laying on the ground after the explosion. Enough to kill a man in 30 seconds.

Nuclear, coal-fired, and hydroelectric power plants provide electricity.

For shielding against radiation and to provide more safety barrier against any unexpected emergency conditions.

Unless they explode, The only negative effects is waste which is taken and buried at secure locations. And the waste generates is 79% Lower than the waste generated by coal powerplants.

Uranium-235 is the most commonly used isotope as a nuclear fuel in power plants. It undergoes fission reactions, releasing energy that is used to generate electricity.

simply, the nuclear reactor is the source of heat (or steam) for the nuclear power plant.

Robert Oppenheimer is the father of nuclear bomb.

cadmium

200

Graphite is used as a moderator in nuclear reactors to slow down neutrons produced during nuclear fission. Slower neutrons are more likely to cause additional fission reactions, allowing for a sustained nuclear reaction. Graphite is also used as a structural material in some reactor designs.

Nuclear plants use water as both working fluid and coolant. The reactor itself is cooled by cold water (rarely salt or gas), and functions as a heater, creating steam, which works turbines, which, in turn, generate electricity.

light water moderated Soviet designed reactor

Fuel pellets are typically clad in Zircalloy, if that was your question. Especially in water cooled reactors.