Understanding Nuclear Fission in Power Plants

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the process of Nuclear Fission in power plants, emphasizing the roles of fuel rods, control rods, and coolant water. Nuclear fuel rods submerged in coolant water initiate the fission process, while control rods regulate the reaction by absorbing neutrons. The heat generated from fission is converted into steam, which drives a steam turbine connected to an industrial-grade generator that produces electricity. The discussion also highlights that water is not the only coolant or moderator used in nuclear reactors, indicating the variety of combinations that can be employed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Nuclear fission fundamentals
  • Understanding of control rod mechanisms
  • Knowledge of steam turbine operation
  • Familiarity with nuclear reactor coolant systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the different types of nuclear reactor coolants
  • Explore the design and function of control rods in various reactor types
  • Learn about the thermodynamic principles behind steam turbine operation
  • Investigate advanced nuclear fission technologies and their applications
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, nuclear physicists, and energy sector professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of nuclear fission processes and power generation systems.

TheRealEinstein
So I need some help verifying this information.(I had to dumb it down, for the younger ones) -

The Nuclear Fission process is started when the Nuclear fuels rods are submerged in coolant water to moderate the Nuclear fission process. When the Fuel rods are put close together this sets of a Nuclear fission. The Control rods are used to contain the Nuclear fission. The control rods are raised to increase energy output and are lowered to decrease energy output. The Nuclear fission naturally has a heat output. The heat is used to generate steam. The steam is used to turn a steam turbine, which turns the Industrial grade generator. The industrial grade Generator produces electricity which gives power to whatever they are diverting it to. Some of the electricity is siphoned off to use as power for the power plant.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF
It all depends on who your target audience happens to be.
The basis of the fission reaction is that the neutrons from one nucleus cause a chain reaction as they hit other nuclei.
The action of the moderator is to slow the neutrons down and to increase the probability of collisions and, thus, the chain reaction; that's a sophisticated idea but important. The control rods adjust the rate of the reaction by absorbing the neutrons. etc. etc.
Water is not always the coolant and nor is is always the moderator. Many combinations have been tried.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
6K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K