Nuclear reactor cooling system
1. Nuclear reactors use water to cool down their core. Water is pumped through the core where it absorbs heat.
2. There are two types of nuclear reactors: Pressurized water reactors (PWR) and boiling water reactors (BWR). PWRs have pressurized water inside the core that keeps the fuel rods at high temperatures. BWRs have boiling water that heats the fuel rods.
3. A nuclear reactor uses uranium-235 as its fuel. Uranium-238 is not fissile and cannot sustain a chain reaction.
4. Reactors need to be cooled after each cycle. Reactors are cooled using either natural convection or forced convection. Natural convection occurs when the water surrounding the core is heated by the hot core. Forced convection occurs when air is blown over the core.
5. In order to keep the core cool, the water is circulated around the core. Circulating water is pumped through the core and then back out again.
6. Reactors are designed to operate at different power levels. At low power, the core temperature is lower than normal. As the power level increases, the core gets hotter.
7. Reactors are classified based on how much radiation they emit. Class 1 reactors produce less than 0.01 millisieverts per year. Class 2 reactors produce between 0.01 and 10 millisieverts per years. Class 3 reactors produce between 10 and 100 millisieverts per year.
8. Reactors are designed with safety features to prevent accidents. These features include emergency shutdown systems, containment structures, and backup generators.
9. Reactors are built underground to protect people from radiation.
10. Reactors are monitored regularly to make sure they are operating properly.
11. Reactors are shut down if they begin to malfunction.
12. Reactors are decommissioned once they are no longer useful.
13. Reactors are regulated by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
14. Reactors are licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
15. If the mains power supply is down, generators kick in to supply power to the water pumps, some pumps are steam operated that get their power from the steam generated by the hot rectors. In case all else fails.
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