Nuclear plant how does it work

This heat can then be used to generate steam, which drives turbines for electricity production. In order to ensure the nuclear reaction takes place at the right speed, reactors have systems that accelerate, slow or shut down the nuclear reaction, and the heat it produces.

This is normally done with control rods, which typically are made out of neutron-absorbing materials such as silver and boron. Two examples of nuclear fissioning of uranium, the most commonly used fuel in nuclear reactors. Nuclear reactors come in many different shapes and sizes — some use water to cool their cores, whilst others use gas or liquid metal. Further information on the many different types of reactor around the world can be found in the Nuclear Power Reactors section of the Information Library.

Nuclear reactors are very reliable at generating electricity, capable of running for 24 hours a day for many months, if not years, without interruption, whatever the weather or season. Additionally, most nuclear reactors can operate for very long periods of time — over 60 years in many cases. A number of different materials can be used to fuel a reactor, but most commonly uranium is used.

Uranium is abundant, and can be found in many places around the world, including in the oceans. Heating oil. Also in Oil and petroleum products explained Oil and petroleum products Refining crude oil Where our oil comes from Imports and exports Offshore oil and gas Use of oil Prices and outlook Oil and the environment.

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The moderator helps slow down the neutrons produced by fission to sustain the chain reaction. Control rods can then be inserted into the reactor core to reduce the reaction rate or withdrawn to increase it. The heat created by fission turns the water into steam, which spins a turbine to produce carbon-free electricity. All commercial nuclear reactors in the United States are light-water reactors. This means they use normal water as both a coolant and neutron moderator.

These reactors pump water into the reactor core under high pressure to prevent the water from boiling. The water in the core is heated by nuclear fission and then pumped into tubes inside a heat exchanger.

Those tubes heat a separate water source to create steam. The steam then turns an electric generator to produce electricity. BWRs heat water and produce steam directly inside the reactor vessel.