What Special Equipment is Required for Nuclear Power?

Nuclear power plants emit no carbon dioxide.

Nuclear power plants use fission to produce vast amounts of energy. Fission is started by firing a neutron at a uranium atom, causing it to split and release energy and further neutrons. These neutrons create a chain reaction of uranium atoms splitting.

Reactor

The reactor contains the nuclear fission reaction. Inside the reactor are the fuel rods and control rods, and cooling ensures that the temperature of the reactor does not exceed permitted levels. Cooling is normally by way of passing water around the reactor core.

Fuel Rods and Control Rods

Uranium fuel rods provide the source of the nuclear fission reaction, while boron control rods slow the process by absorbing neutrons and inhibiting the nuclear reaction. The speed of the reaction is controlled by moving the control rods up and down, altering how much boron is present in the reactor core.

Steam Turbines

The heat from the nuclear reaction is taken from the reactor using high pressure water or gas. This heats water to produce steam, which drives a turbine generator and produces electricity.

References

• Darvill.clarat: Energy Resources; Nuclear Power
• Technology Student: Nuclear Power Generation