Nuclear power seems like a difficult subject to understand but it’s power stations are remarkably easy to comprehend. Nuclear power plants work along the same principles as coal burning steam stations. The only difference between them is how the heat is generated. One is by coal and the other by nuclear fission. The heat converts water into steam which is then used to rotate turbines which creates electricity. Simple.
These power plants require a special type of fuel known as Uranium 235. It’s manufactured and distributed a small blocks, less than 1 inch long and each of these 1 blocks will give off enough energy as a ton of coal. The pellets are put into a rod called a fuel rod, which are then all put together in a group.
The heat created is due to fission, or the splitting of atoms. When U235 splits one of it’s neutrons is released to hit another molecule which will then split and send one more neutron. The chain reaction is what drives a nuclear reactor. The rods mentioned just prior absorb the neutrons so they isolate each chain reaction from the other. Another type of rod is also in the chamber prior to the reaction. It’s job is to absorb particles which naturally come off the U235 and to prevent a chain reaction before it can happen.
The reaction heats the water which is then sent to a pressurizer, which allows the water to super heat to temperatures of 150 degrees Celsius while still being in a liquid form. Then it is released through valves to steam generators which are surrounded by another liquid that super heats upon contact with the initial liquid.
The steam is now directed at the turbines to make them rotate. The rotation causes energy to be produced. The steam is then funneled to a third liquid, this time a coolant which brings the water back down to temperatures low enough to be used in the process again.
Those large dome like towers you see at plants are part of the cooling process. Water is circulated to the top of the structures and then allowed to seep down the sides. The shape of the structure brings up air from the inside which then cools the water by the time it reaches the ground and system again.
And that’s how a nuclear power plant works!
