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Nuclear-reactors

This fact sheet from the Science Media Centre outlines the key components and types of nuclear reactors, including Pressurised Water Reactors, Boiling Water Reactors, Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors, Gas-cooled Reactors, and Light Water Graphite-moderated Reactors. It provides a brief overview of each reactor type, their fuel sources, and operational characteristics. The document serves as a basic introduction to nuclear reactors and directs readers to additional resources for more detailed information.

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4 views

Nuclear-reactors

This fact sheet from the Science Media Centre outlines the key components and types of nuclear reactors, including Pressurised Water Reactors, Boiling Water Reactors, Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors, Gas-cooled Reactors, and Light Water Graphite-moderated Reactors. It provides a brief overview of each reactor type, their fuel sources, and operational characteristics. The document serves as a basic introduction to nuclear reactors and directs readers to additional resources for more detailed information.

Uploaded by

achuk0741
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Science Media Centre Fact Sheet

Nuclear reactors

Key components of a nuclear reactor


- Fuel - usually uranium-based (uranium oxide UO2 is the most common), in the
form of pellets in tubes that form fuel rods, which are then arranged in the
reactor core
- Moderator - a material in the core which slows down the neutrons released
from fission so that they cause more fission. Usually water, but may be heavy
water or graphite.
- Control rods - made from neutron-absorbing material which absorbs the
neutrons produced by nuclear fission. Inserted into or withdrawn from the core
as necessary to control or halt the reaction
- Coolant - a liquid or gas that circulates through the core to transfer heat from it
- Steam generator - part of the coolant loop that generates steam to power the
turbine
- Turbine - driven by steam to produce electricity
- Containment - structure around the core to protect it from the external
environment and prevent radioactive material from getting out

Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR)


- Most common type - present in US, France, Japan, Russia, China
- Fuel is enriched uranium oxide (UO2) - usually as pellets arranged in tubes to
form fuel rods
- A type of light water reactor, in which water is used as the coolant, circulating
through the core to transfer heat away. The primary cooling circuit flows
through the core and transfers heat via a steam generator to a second circuit in
which the turbine is located.
- Water also acts as the moderator, which slows down the reaction.

Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) (Fukushima reactor type)


- Second most common reactor type - present in US, Japan, Sweden - the
Fukushima plant is an early generation of this type, designed in the 1960s -
though the design has significantly evolved over the past 40-50 years
- Fuel is enriched uranium oxide
- Also a type of light water reactor, with water as the coolant and the moderator
- Different from a PWR in that there is only one cooling circuit, which runs to the
generator and back to the reactor in one loop
- The coolant system is currently out of action in the Fukushima plant, as are the
diesel generators that provided backup - engineers are working to cool the plant
and get this system back up and running.

Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)


- Developed since the 1950s in Canada (where it is known as the CANDU)
- Uses heavy water (D2O) as the moderator and coolant - this is necessary as the
reactor runs on natural instead of enriched uranium oxide, which requires a
more efficient moderator in the form of heavy water
Gas-cooled Reactor (UK reactor type)
- These are the type used in the UK, either Magnox (Generation I) or Advanced
Gas-cooled Reactors (AGRs, Generation II)
- Both types use a graphite moderator and carbon dioxide as the coolant
- AGRs run on enriched uranium oxide pellets in stainless steel tubes
- Magnox reactors run on natural uranium in metal form
- In the UK, there are currently 14 AGRs still operating (across seven sites, each
with two reactors) and four Magnox reactors.
- Some Generation II (AGR) reactors are nearing the end of their 40-year
operating lives and many are likely to close over the next 15 years or so. Almost
all Generation I (Magnox) reactors are now in the process of being
decommissioned
- If nuclear new build goes ahead, the new reactors will be Generation III, which
will be extensions of existing designs

Light Water Graphite-moderated Reactor


- Soviet design, known as RBMK
- Fuel is low-enriched uranium oxide, with a graphite moderator and water
coolant
- Have never been built outside the Soviet Union due to limitations in the design

Sources / further information


World Nuclear Association - excellent resource on various reactor types - also page on how
nuclear power works

Factfile from the IET - slightly more technical

This is a fact sheet issued by the Science Media Centre to provide background information
on science topics relevant to breaking news stories. This is not intended as the 'last word'
on a subject, but rather a summary of the basics and a pointer towards sources of more
detailed information. These can be read as supplements to our roundups and/or briefings.

For more information about our fact sheets, please contact Robin Bisson at the Science
Media Centre on 020 7611 8345 or email [email protected]

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