Document 12
Document 12
There are three main components of a nuclear power plant: The reactor, the
steam generator and the turbine generator
1. Reactor: The reactor is the heart of the nuclear power plant. It houses the nuclear
fuel, which undergoes controlled nuclear reactions, typically fission, to produce
heat.
2. Steam Generator: The steam generator is responsible for transferring the heat
generated in the reactor to the water, creating steam. The steam is used to drive
a turbine.
3. Turbine and Generator: The turbine is driven by the high-pressure steam,
converting its kinetic energy into mechanical energy. The rotating turbine shaft is
connected to a generator, which converts the mechanical energy into electrical
energy, generating electricity
Steam Generation: The heated water turns into steam in a separate loop.
Turbine: The steam spins a turbine, producing mechanical energy.
Pump: Pumps return water to the reactor to start the process again.
Safety risks, like accidents and leaks, could harm people and the
environment. Handling radioactive waste is tricky, needing safe storage
and disposal for a long time. Some people are worried about nuclear
power, so public support might be low. And building and running nuclear
plants can be expensive, with big upfront costs and ongoing expenses.
These challenges mean we need to be careful and plan well if we're going
to use nuclear power.