How is the temperature of a nuclear reactor controlled?

How is the temperature of a nuclear reactor controlled?

In a nuclear power station nuclear fuel undergoes a controlled chain reaction in the reactor to produce heat – nuclear to heat energy. The chain reaction is controlled by Boron control rods. Boron is a non-fissile material.

How nuclear reactors are cooled?

Most nuclear power (and other thermal) plants with recirculating cooling are cooled by water in a condenser circuit with the hot water then going to a cooling tower. This may employ either natural draft (chimney effect) or mechanical draft using large fans (enabling a much lower profile but using power*).

Why is there such a high temperature requirement for fusion?

When hydrogen atoms fuse, the nuclei must come together. High temperature gives the hydrogen atoms enough energy to overcome the electrical repulsion between the protons. Fusion requires temperatures of about 100 million Kelvin (approximately six times hotter than the sun’s core).

Can a nuclear reactor be shut down?

During the power operation of a nuclear power plant, a self-sustaining chain reaction occurs in the reactor core. To shut down a nuclear power plant, the reactor must be brought into a permanently uncritical state (subcriticality) and the heat that continuous to generate must be discharged safely.

How long does it take for a nuclear reactor to cool?

When the uranium fuel is used up, usually after about 18 months, the spent rods are generally moved to deep pools of circulating water to cool down for about 10 years, though they remain dangerously radioactive for about 10,000 years.

What is the major concern about cooling the reactor rods?

During a nuclear reaction, fuel rods generate a tremendous amount of heat. After most of the fuel has been used, the rods are removed from the reactor and kept in a separate cooling pool nearby. Problems cooling these pools have officials worried that the spent rods could overheat and melt.

Which nuclear reactor have high pressure in cooling system?

Light-water reactors (LWRs) are power reactors that are cooled and moderated with ordinary water. There are two basic types: the pressurized-water reactor (PWR) and the boiling-water reactor (BWR). In the PWR, water at high pressure and temperature removes heat from the core and is transported to a steam generator.