NUCLEAR REACTORS

COMPONENTS OF NUCLEAR
REACTOR

 Nuclear fuel
 Neutron moderator
 Coolant
 Control rods
 Reactor vessel
 Steam generators (not in BWRs)
 Containment Structure
 Steam turbine
 Electricity generator
 Condenser
CLASSIFICATION OF REACTORS

 1.Classification by type of nuclear reaction

 Fission reactors can be divided roughly into two
classes, depending on the energy of the neutrons
 Thermal reactors use slow or thermal neutrons 
These are characterized by neutron moderator
that slow neutrons
 Fast neutron reactors use fast neutrons to sustain
the fission chain reaction.   They are characterized
by an absence of moderating material.
Classification by moderator material used by thermal reactors.
(i). Graphite moderated reactors
(ii).Water moderated reactors
• .Heavy Water moderated reactors
.Light water moderated reactors (LWRs) 

Classification by coolant
(i).Water cooled reactor
.Pressure water reactor  
.Boiling water reactor
.Pool type reactor

(ii).Liquid metal cooled reactor

(iii).Gas cooled reactor

PRESSURISED WATER
REACTOR
 In the pressurized water reactor (PWR), the water
which is at high temperature & pressure passes over
the reactor core to act as moderator and coolant
 Another advantage is that the PWR can operate at
higher pressure and temperature, about 160
atmospheres and about 350 C
 They are the majority of current reactors, and are
generally considered the safest and most reliable
technology.