Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of the coolant in a nuclear reactor?
What is the purpose of the coolant in a nuclear reactor?
To carry heat out of the core and generate high-pressure steam.
What is the reaction that occurs in a nuclear reactor?
What is the reaction that occurs in a nuclear reactor?
Some uranium atoms are transformed to even heavier elements such as plutonium and americium.
What is the purpose of the control rods in a nuclear reactor?
What is the purpose of the control rods in a nuclear reactor?
Not mentioned, but implied to be for emergency shutdown.
What is the purpose of the 10m of water covering the reactor core?
What is the purpose of the 10m of water covering the reactor core?
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What is the ultimate goal of the heat transfer process in a nuclear reactor?
What is the ultimate goal of the heat transfer process in a nuclear reactor?
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What material is used to construct the fuel rods?
What material is used to construct the fuel rods?
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What is the role of the moderator material in a nuclear reactor?
What is the role of the moderator material in a nuclear reactor?
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How does the coolant interact with the reactor core?
How does the coolant interact with the reactor core?
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What is the end result of the heat transfer process in a nuclear reactor?
What is the end result of the heat transfer process in a nuclear reactor?
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What is the purpose of the reactor core design?
What is the purpose of the reactor core design?
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Study Notes
Nuclear Power Stations
- Nuclear power stations have proven to be relatively safe in practice, despite some spectacular accidents like the Chernobyl fire in 1986, which resulted in thousands of deaths and illnesses.
- The UK's nuclear stations have been carefully operated, but many are now reaching the end of their lives, raising questions about replacement.
Nuclear Power vs. Natural Gas
- There is a glut of electricity, and prices have fallen, making nuclear power less competitive.
- Most new power stations use natural gas, which can produce electricity more cheaply than nuclear power.
Reprocessing and Waste Management
- Spent fuel is sometimes reprocessed to extract remaining 235U and re-use it, and to separate plutonium for use in reactors or bombs.
- Sellafield in Cumbria is an example of a reprocessing site.
- The most hazardous waste products are concentrated, with the intention of storing them safely, but the problem of long-term storage remains unsolved.
Decommissioning
- At the end of its life, a power station must be decommissioned, involving dismantling and safe storage of radioactive parts.
- The site is eventually levelled and is unlikely to be fit for other uses for several decades.
Nuclear Reactor Operation
- A coolant (water or carbon dioxide) carries heat out of the reactor core and generates high-pressure steam.
- The steam turns turbines, which cause generators to spin and produce electricity.
- In a nuclear reactor, some uranium atoms are transformed to heavier elements like plutonium and americium.
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Description
This quiz covers the components of a nuclear reactor, including the fuel rod, core, and coolant system. Test your knowledge of nuclear energy!
