Nuclear power plant

Nuclear power plant requires a nuclear reactor, a heat exchanger, a steam turbine, a condenser and an alternator. Nuclear reactor generates heat. This is possible by splitting of nucleus. This splitting of nucleus is termed as nuclear fission. Nuclear fuels commonly used are uranium-238 and thorium-232. The energy obtained by fission of 1 kg of uranium is approximately equivalent to burning of 2500 tonnes of coal which is equivalent to 6.5 lakh kWh of electrical energy. To reduce the speed of neutrons, moderators are used. Heavy water is the best moderator in use. Reflector resists neutrons escaping from the fuel. Excess neutrons produces has to be absorbed in order to regulate the reaction. For this control rods are used. Boron material is used for making control rods. A thermal shielding and coolant also required in a nuclear power plant. Different types of nuclear reactors are pressurized water reactor, boiling water reactor, gas cooled reactor and fast breeder reactor.