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Nucl

Nuclear energy is obtained from the nuclear fission of uranium and plutonium. Uranium-235 is the most unstable isotope that will split when hit by a neutron, releasing energy and more neutrons to sustain a chain reaction. A nuclear power plant uses this chain reaction to heat water and produce steam, which spins turbines that generate electricity. The main components are the nuclear reactor, where fission occurs; a heat exchanger to heat water and produce steam; turbines turned by steam; and a generator powered by the turbines.

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12 views

Nucl

Nuclear energy is obtained from the nuclear fission of uranium and plutonium. Uranium-235 is the most unstable isotope that will split when hit by a neutron, releasing energy and more neutrons to sustain a chain reaction. A nuclear power plant uses this chain reaction to heat water and produce steam, which spins turbines that generate electricity. The main components are the nuclear reactor, where fission occurs; a heat exchanger to heat water and produce steam; turbines turned by steam; and a generator powered by the turbines.

Uploaded by

505 Likith
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Nuclear Energy: The energy can be liberated by the nuclear fission of materials like

uranium (U). Plutonium (Pu) has opened up a new source of power . The heat produced
due to fission of U and pU is used to heat water to generate steam which is used for
running turbo generator.

Chain Reaction: Uranium exists as isotopes of U238 u234 and U235 out of these isotopes
U235 is most unstable, when a neutron is captured by nucleus of an atom of U235 ,. It splits
up roughly into two equal fragments and about 2.5 neutrons are released and a large
amount energy (nearly 200 million electron volts) is produced.
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Working Principle of Nuclear Power Plant:
The main component of a nuclear power plant are shown in fig
.These include nuclear reaction, heat exchanger (steam
generator), turbine , electric generator and condenser. Reactor
of a nuclear power plant. The heat liberation in the reactor due
to the nuclear fission of the fuel is takes up by the coolant
circulating through the reactor core. Hot coolant leave the
reactor at top and then through the tubes of steam generator
(boiler) and passes on its heat to the feed water. The steam
produced is passed through the turbine and after work has
been done by the expansion of steam in the turbine ,steam
leaves the turbine and flows to the condenser .pumps are
provided to maintain the flow of coolant , condensate and
feed water.
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Fertile material:
The materials which absorbs neutrons and undergoes spontaneous
changes which lead to the formation of fissionable material is called
fertile materal.U238 andTh238 are fertile material.

Parts of a nuclear Reactor:


The various parts of reactor of a nuclear reactor are as follows:-
1. Nuclear Fuel: Fuel of a nuclear reactor should be fissionable
material , whose nuclei can undergo nuclear fission by nuclear
bombardment and to produce fission chain reaction. It can be
one or all of the followingU235, U235andPu239.
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

2. Moderator: In the chain reaction the neutron produced


are fast moving neutrons .These fast moving neutron are
far less effective in causing the fission of U235 and try to
escape from the reaction. To improve the utilization of
these neutrons their speed is reduced by moderator.
3. Control Rods: Control rods are used to control the power
of the reactor. These rods can be moved in and out of
the holes in the reactor core. Their insertion absorbs more
neutrons and damps down the reaction and their with
drawl absorbs less neutron. Thus power of reaction is
controlled by shifting control rods which may be done
manually or automatically.
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
4. Reflector: The neutrons produced during the fission
process will be partly absorbed by the fuel rods,
moderator, coolant or structural material etc.
Unabsorbed neutron will try to leave the reactor
core, never to return to it and will be lost .Such as is
minimized by reflector.
5. Reactor vessel: It is a strong walled container
housing .It contains moderator, reflector thermal
shielding and control rod.
6. Biological shielding: During fission of nuclear fuel,
alpha particles are produced. A protection must be
provided against them and biological shielding do
it.
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
7. Coolant: Coolant flow through and around the
reactor core. It is used to transfer the large amount of
heat produced during chain reaction .The coolant
either transfer its heat to another medium or if the
coolant used is water it takes up heat get converted
into steam in reactor which is directly sent to the
turbine.
Nuclear Power Plant
end

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