Nuclear Power Plants

Nuclear Power PlantTurbine and Generator

Spinning turbine blades and generator

Boiling water

Steam

Nuclear Energy Powers 1 in 5 U.S. Homes and Businesses

Uranium Is Mined and Refined

Uranium Ore Uranium hexafluoride Gas Solid

Enrichment Concentrates the Uranium Isotope

Uranium Is Encased in Solid Ceramic Pellets

Fuel Rods Filled With Pellets Are Grouped Into Fuel Assemblies

Nuclear Energy Comes From Fission

Uranium atom

NeutronsSpit atoms

Heat

Splitting Atoms Releases Neutrons, Making Heat

Neutrons

Heat Produces Steam, Generating Electricity

Heat

Steam produced

Steam

Turbine

Generator

Electricity

Controlling the Chain Reaction

Control rods

Fuel Assemblies

Withdraw control rods,reaction increases

Insert control rods,reaction decreases

Boiling Water Reactor

Steam

Pressurized Water Reactor

Safety Is Engineered Into Reactor Designs

Containment Vessel1.5-inch thick steel

Shield Building Wall3 foot thick reinforced concrete

Dry Well Wall5 foot thick reinforced concrete

Bio Shield4 foot thick leaded concrete with1.5-inch thick steel lining inside and out

Reactor Vessel4 to 8 inches thick steel

Reactor Fuel

Weir Wall1.5 foot thick concrete