Nuclear Reactor Basics

• A nuclear reactor uses nuclear fuels to create energy.
• The nuclear fuel is unstable and can be converted into radioactive materials.
• In nuclear fission, the slow moving neutrons are bombarded on the atoms of the nuclear fuel.
• The heavy nucleus of nuclear fuel like uranium is split into two or more lighter nuclei.
• The reduced mass converted into enormous energy.
• The energy released is taken away by primary coolant.
• Parts of a nuclear reactor include the moderator, control rods, external shield, heat exchanger, generator, and condenser.
• The moderator slows down the neutrons, the control rods absorb neutrons, and the external shield protects people from radiation.
• The heat exchanger converts the heat from the nuclear reactor into steam, the generator converts the mechanical work of the turbine into electrical energy, and the condenser condenses the steam.
• The feed pump extracts the condensate from the condenser and feeds it back to the heat exchanger, and the cooling water from the cooling tower circulates into the condenser.
• The condenser water circulating pump circulates the cooling water from the cooling tower to the condenser and heated water from the condenser back to the cooling tower.

Test your knowledge about the fundamental principles and components of a nuclear reactor, including nuclear fuel, nuclear fission, energy conversion, and reactor parts like moderator, control rods, and heat exchanger.