Working Of Nuclear Plant and Generation Of Energy
Nuclear energy originates from splitting of Uranium atoms- a process called fission. This generates heat to produce steam, which is used by Turbine generator to generate electricity, because Nuclear power plants do not burn fuel, they do not produce greenhouse gas emissions. It is the safe, clean, cost effective alternative contrary to claims by opponents of nuclear energy. Nuclear power reactors use controlled nuclear fission in a chain reaction. With the use of neutron absorbers, the rate of reaction controlled, so the power depends on demand. By reliably providing power 24 hours a day, Nuclear energy is an important part of the energy mix necessary to meet electricity demand. And, with no carbon emissions, it will remain an important clean energy resource for the future. For more than forty years, Duke Energy, USA has operated nuclear plants- setting industry benchmarks for safety and efficiency in the process.
Working of a Nuclear Plant -
A Nuclear power plant works much like a conventional power plant, but it produces heat energy from Atoms rather than by burning Gas, coal or another fuel. The heat produced is used for to boil water to make steam, which drives one or more giant steam turbines connected to generators - and those produce electricity we are after. Here is how it works -
1. First, Uranium is loaded up in he Reactor - A giant concrete Dome that's reinforced in case it explodes. In the heart of Reactor, Atoms split apart and release heat energy, producing neutrons and splitting other atoms in a carefully controlled nuclear reaction.
2. Control rods made of materials such as Cadmium and Boron can be raised or lowered into the Reactor to soak up neutrons and slow down or speed up the chain reaction.
3. Water is pumped through the reactor to collect heat energy that the chain reaction produces. It constantly flows around a closed loop linking the Reactor with a heat exchanger.
4. Inside the Heat exchanger, water from the reactor gives up its energy to cooler water flowing in another closed loop turning it to steam. Using two unconnected loops of water and the Heat exchanger helps to keep water contaminated with Radioactivity safely contained in one place and well away from most of the equipment in the Plant.
5. The steam from the Heat Exchanger is piped to a turbine. As the steam blows past the Turbine's vanes, they spin around at high speed.
6. The spinning Turbine is connected to an Electricity Generator and makes that spin too.
7. The Generator produces electricity that flows out to the Power Grid - to our homes, shops, offices and factories.
I shall be discussing further on other important features of Nuclear Energy in my next posts.
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Some atoms are unstable- they decay over time releasing energy as radiation. These atoms are radioactive. There are three types of radiation- Alpha, Beta. Gamma.
Working of a Nuclear Plant -
A Nuclear power plant works much like a conventional power plant, but it produces heat energy from Atoms rather than by burning Gas, coal or another fuel. The heat produced is used for to boil water to make steam, which drives one or more giant steam turbines connected to generators - and those produce electricity we are after. Here is how it works -
1. First, Uranium is loaded up in he Reactor - A giant concrete Dome that's reinforced in case it explodes. In the heart of Reactor, Atoms split apart and release heat energy, producing neutrons and splitting other atoms in a carefully controlled nuclear reaction.
2. Control rods made of materials such as Cadmium and Boron can be raised or lowered into the Reactor to soak up neutrons and slow down or speed up the chain reaction.
3. Water is pumped through the reactor to collect heat energy that the chain reaction produces. It constantly flows around a closed loop linking the Reactor with a heat exchanger.
4. Inside the Heat exchanger, water from the reactor gives up its energy to cooler water flowing in another closed loop turning it to steam. Using two unconnected loops of water and the Heat exchanger helps to keep water contaminated with Radioactivity safely contained in one place and well away from most of the equipment in the Plant.
5. The steam from the Heat Exchanger is piped to a turbine. As the steam blows past the Turbine's vanes, they spin around at high speed.
6. The spinning Turbine is connected to an Electricity Generator and makes that spin too.
7. The Generator produces electricity that flows out to the Power Grid - to our homes, shops, offices and factories.
I shall be discussing further on other important features of Nuclear Energy in my next posts.
- - - - - - - - -
Some atoms are unstable- they decay over time releasing energy as radiation. These atoms are radioactive. There are three types of radiation- Alpha, Beta. Gamma.
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