I was watching the HBO series Chernobyl and in the second episode, Professor Legasov explains the working of a nuclear reactor. Unfortunately the explanation wasn’t enough. Enlighten me.
In:
A uranium atom absorbs a neutron, becomes unstable and splits. It splits into 2 smaller elements and more neutrons, as well as releasing energy in the form of heat. These neutrons are absorbed by more uranium atoms and the process repeats.
The coolant (water, molten salt, etc) moves this heat from the core to steam generators (boiler water reactors work a bit differently here), where steam is created to drive turbines for propulsion or electricity.
Control rods also absorb neutrons, but don’t react like the fuel. They are used to control the nuclear reaction and shut the reactor down when needed.
Latest Answers