The Process of Generating
Electricity by Nuclear Power
By: Simon Balean
Introduction
The process of generating electricity by nuclear power is a method in which electricity and
power is generated by the release of energy from splitting atoms of Uranium-235. According to
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 1, there are currently 447 nuclear power reactors
in over 30 countries. About 20% of the electricity in the United States is provided by Nuclear
Power. Out of all the other electricity production methods, nuclear power is the cheapest way
to produce electricity. In addition, nuclear power plants are one of the cleanest fuel sources.
According to Duke Energy2, nuclear energy accounts for “70 percent of all emission-free
electricity generated and emitting no carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide.”
A nuclear power plant is very similar to coal power plants.
Water is initially converted into steam, which causes the
turbine generators to spin. This ultimately results in the
production of electricity. The only difference between the
nuclear-fueled and fossil-fueled power plants is the source
of heat. In the fossil-fueled power plants, the combustion
of coal is the source of heat for the boiler, whereas in
nuclear-fueled power plants, the source of heat is when
uranium or thorium atoms splits, also known as a process
called fission.
1
2
https://www.iaea.org/PRIS/WorldStatistics/OperationalReactorsByCountry.aspx
https://www.duke-energy.com/about-energy/generating-electricity/nuclear-background.asp
The Process of Generating Electricity by Nuclear Power
How is Electricity Generated from Nuclear Power?
There are two types of nuclear reactors. The Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) and the Boiling
Water Reactor (BWR). They are both very similar. The only difference between the two systems
is that in the PWR, the water in the reactor vessel is in a separate system as the water in the
rest of the system. In fact, the water in the reactor vessel is kept under pressure throughout the
entire process so the water does not boil.
1. Fuel
The main source of fuel is Uranium-235, although an isotope known as Uranium-233 or
Thorium 232 can also be used. This fuel is generally created into small capsules that are
then placed into a fuel assembly of over 200 fuel rods.
2. Reactor
The fuel source Uranium-235 is very
unstable. So the reactor forces the
Uranium-235 to hit a neutron. This causes
a fission process where the atoms of
Uranium-235 ruptures and breaks apart.
Then the neutrons from the split
Uranium-235 atom then collides with
another Uranium-235 atom, causing a chain reaction. This results in a process where
heat is generated. This method is regulated by control rods and fuel assembly rods. The
heat is then transferred to the water. Depending on whether the system is a PWR or
BWR, the water should be either boiling or pressurized.
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The Process of Generating Electricity by Nuclear Power
3. Steam Generator
The heat from the water that was generated from the reactor gets really hot and since
there is no pressurizer, the water
converts into steam and rises up to
the turbine.
4. Turbine
The turbine is connected to an
electric generator with a revolving
axel in a compartment located above the steam generator. Since the energy from the
water is converted into steam, the steam rises and pushes the blades of multiple
turbines. This process spins the turbines which causes a powerful magnet inside the
generator to also spin. This, as a result, produces electricity.
5. Condenser Coolant/Reservoir Cooling Towers
In order to reuse the water from the steam, the steam is then cooled by a system of
condenser coolants. Once cooled, the steam reconverts back into water and goes back
into the steam generator with the purpose of a cyclic process.
A popular alternative to this method is instead of going to a condenser coolant, the
steam flows through condenser tubes and condenses back into water and is then
released into a nearby reservoir.
Conclusion
The process of generating electricity by nuclear power is a system when a nuclear reactor of a
power plant generates heat by the fission of Uranium-235, converts the liquid water to steam,
which then spins a turbine connected to a rotary shaft of a generator resulting in the creation
of electricity.
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