How does a nuclear fission reactor work
To evaluate the pros and cons of nuclear power, we must know how a conventional nuclear power plant and its accompanying nuclear fuel cycle work. In the reactor of a n,!lclear power plant, the rate of fission in a nuclear chain reaction (Figure 6-32) is controlled, and the heat generated is used to produce high-pressure steam, which spins turbines that generate electricity. Figure 6-33 Light-water-moderated and -cooled nuclear power plant with a pressurized water reactor, Light-water reactors (LWRs) like the one diagrammed in Figure 6-33 produce about 85% of the world’s nuclear-generated electricity (100% in the United States). An LWR has the following key parts: . Core, containing 35,000-70,000 long, thin fuel rods, each packed with fuel pellets. Each pellet is about one-third the size of a cigarette and contains the energy equivalent of 0.9 metric tons (1 ton1 of coal. . Uranium oxide fuel, consisting of about 97% nonfissionable uranium 238 and 3% fissionable uranium-235. To create a
