How does TMI Unit 1 work?
There are two types of commercial nuclear energy plants in the United States, the boiling water reactor and the pressurized water reactor. Both plants operate on the same principles and are cooled by ordinary water. The coolant, which is water, is the main link in the process that converts fission energy to electrical energy. TMI Unit 1 is a pressurized water reactor. Pressurized water reactors heat the water surrounding the nuclear fuel, but safely keep the water under pressure to prevent it from boiling. The hot water is pumped from the reactor vessel to a steam generator. There, the heat from the water is transferred to a second, separate supply of water. This water supply boils to make steam. The steam spins the turbine, which drives the electric generator to produce electricity. Water from the reactor and the water that is turned into steam are in separate pipes and never mix. Click here for more.
