Power Generation: How Nuclear Reactors Work
- Science Holic
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
Author: Eric Lin
Editors: Fiona Cheng, Joshua Payne
Artist: Becky Li
A single nuclear reactor can produce around 1 gigawatt of power in its lifetime – enough to power around 100 million LED bulbs. Despite its potential, nuclear energy is still widely misunderstood. Due to events like Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and the Chernobyl disaster, there is a stigma around the dangers of nuclear energy as an unknown, unpredictable, and dangerous source of power. Contrary to popular belief, this is untrue. Nuclear power is generated in a nuclear reactor, essentially superpowerful kettles.
A nuclear reactor generates electricity by splitting atoms, releasing tons of energy. This energy is used to heat water and produce steam, which is used to generate electricity. At the heart of a nuclear reactor is fuel, typically uranium-235 or plutonium-239. These elements are used because their unstable atoms can be split in a process known as nuclear fission. When a single atom of uranium-235 or plutonium-239 splits, it releases large amounts of energy in the form of heat and neutrons. The neutrons split more atoms, creating a chain reaction that produces significant heat from a single rod of uranium-235 or plutonium-239. If the reaction leads to excessive splitting or rapid splitting, it can cause a nuclear meltdown similar to the one at Chernobyl.
Atomic reactors are equipped with control rods made of boron and cadmium to combat this. These rods absorb some of the released neutrons to slow down the nuclear fission chain. By raising or lowering these rods, workers can control the speed of the reaction, much like adjusting the dial on a kettle to control its boiling speed. The nuclear reactor is fed water through a loop, and as heat is released from the nuclear fission, the water heats up, usually in a pressurized system for safety. A pressurized system would keep the water liquid at high temperatures, similar to a pressure cooker, which is beneficial since water typically boils at 100℃. However, to transfer heat efficiently, the temperature needs to be almost 300℃, and liquid water transfers heat more efficiently than steam. The heated water is used to heat another set of water into steam. Another set of water is used for safety. Water that comes into contact with nuclear fuel becomes contaminated, sending radioactive steam to the turbines, making it unsafe and contaminated. Additionally, it aligns with previous discussions on why nuclear reactors utilize pressurized systems. One loop of water is heated and pressurized, allowing it to remain a liquid and heat another loop of water, which is then allowed to become steam. This steam is then used to turn a turbine, which generates electricity similar to a large fan. Finally, the reactor is cooled by submerging it in water. For safety, nuclear reactors are built with thick walls to prevent radiation from leaking. The nuclear waste, or leftover residuals from the fuel, is typically stored on site or at an underground facility to decompose or be recycled safely.
In conclusion, nuclear reactors work through nuclear fission and boiling water to turn a turbine. Hopefully, through this article, you become desensitized to the “dangers” of nuclear power and see that it's not some gamma radiation beam that would evaporate you or turn you into a superhero, but rather it is a clever way of boiling water.
Citations:
Galindo, A. (2024, June 18). What is Nuclear Energy? The Science of Nuclear Power. IAEA.
INFOGRAPHIC: How much power does a nuclear reactor produce? (n.d.). Energy.gov.
NUCLEAR 101: How does a nuclear reactor work? (n.d.). Energy.gov.
Nuclear Essentials - World Nuclear Association. (n.d.). https://world-nuclear.org/nuclear-
Nuclear Power is the Most Reliable Energy Source and It’s Not Even Close. (n.d.). Energy.gov.
https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/nuclear-power-most-reliable-energy-source-and- its-not-even-close
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