How a Nuclear Power Plant Works
The Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)
Nuclear power plants run on uranium fuel. In the reactor, uranium atoms are split through a process known as fission. When atoms are spilt, they produce a large amount of energy that is then converted to heat. The heat boils water, creating steam that is used to turn turbines, which spins the shaft of a generator. Inside the generator, coils of wire spin in a magnetic field and electricity is produced. Nuclear power plants in the United States use two types of reactors to achieve this process: boiling water reactors and pressurized water reactors.
The Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)
Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) keep water under pressure, so the water heats but does not boil. The heated pressurized water is run through pipes, which heat a separate water line to create steam. The water to generate steam is never mixed with the pressurized water used to heat it.
Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)
The Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) Animation courtesy of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) “Students’ Corner
Boiling Water Reactors (BWR) heat water by generating heat from fission in the reactor vessel to boil water and create steam, which turns the generator. In both types of plants, the steam is turned back into water and can be used again in the process. Animation courtesy of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) “Students’ Corner”
