NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WITH CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING

MECHANICAL TIPS AND STUDY MATERIAL

Nuclear power plant

These plants perform similar function like thermal power plant for production of electricity by turning electrical generator and running ship's propeller etc but the raw material is different in these plant. Nuclear plants are assembled with reactor and uses nuclear fuel like uranium or plutonium. These reactors initiates controlled/sustained reaction.

The main aim of any power plant is to generate large heat in order to produce steam. This steam is directed to the blades of turbine to rotate it. The turbine is coupled with electrical generator which  helps in producing electricity.

Main components of Nuclear power plants are:-

1) Reactor vessel

2) Coolant

3) Steam turbine

4) Electric generator

Reactor vessel

This is the power house of nuclear power plant. Heat is produced in this section of plant. The reactor is a container with fuel rod ( uranium fuel rods) and control rods ( to alter the reaction rate ). The bottom part has inlet port for water and outlet of steam at the top is provided. The whole arrangement is carefully sealed to avoid any leakage. 

Coolent

The reactor is surrounded by coolant ( mostly water) to remove excess heat from the reactor vessel. The water gets heated up on absorbing heat and can be utilized in boiler and steam turbine.

Steam turbine

This device receives steam from the reactor on its blades and starts rotating. The heat of the steam accounts for doing mechanical work by turbine. Further turbine is coupled with generator. The turbine has separate housing from reactor vessel to avoid any radioactive transmission.

Electric Generator

AC synchronous geneators are used to generate electricity. The purpose of generator is to convert mechanical energy imparted by turbine into electrical work. The generated electrical energy so generated is supplied to various power station.

Do you know?

• Australia has largest reserve of uranium - 235 in world.
• Production wise Canada leads the world.
• There are around 450 nuclear power plant operating in world till today.