Nuclear Power Plants

Nuclear Power Plants

• Work best at constant power

– Excellent for baseload power
• Power output range of 40 to 2000 MW
– Current designs are 600 to1200 MW
• 441 licensed plants operating in 31 countries
• Produce about 17% of global electrical energy

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 Nuclear Power Plant

Nuclear PP Cooling Tower

http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power.htm/printable

2
Core of Nuclear Reactor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_reactors

Nuclear PP Control Room

http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power.htm/printable

3
 Nuclear Heat
Steam

Generator
Steam
produced Turbine

Electricity
Heat

Controlling Chain Reaction

Fuel
Assemblies

Control rods

Withdraw control rods, Insert control rods,

reaction increases reaction decreases

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 Boiling Water Reactor

Pressurized Water Reactor

Steam

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Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

1. Reactor core generates heat

2. Pressurized-water in the primary coolant
loop carries the heat to the steam generator
3. Inside the steam generator heat from the
primary coolant loop vaporizes the water in
a secondary loop producing steam
4. The steam line directs the steam to the
main turbine causing it to turn the turbine
generator, which produces electricity

Reactor Safety Design

Containment Vessel
1.5-inch thick steel

Shield Building Wall

3 foot thick reinforced concrete

Dry Well Wall

5 foot thick reinforced concrete

Bio Shield
4 foot thick leaded concrete with
1.5-inch thick steel lining inside and out

Reactor Vessel
4 to 8 inches thick steel

Reactor Fuel

Weir Wall
1.5 foot thick concrete

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Nuclear PP Schematic

http://www.nucleartourist.com/frconten.htm