Some of the neutrons that are released then hit other atoms, causing them to fission too and release more neutrons. This is called a chain reaction. The fissioning of atoms in the chain reaction also releases a large amount of energy as heat. The generated heat is removed from the reactor by a circulating fluid, typically water.
This heat can then be used to generate steam, which drives turbines for electricity production. In order to ensure the nuclear reaction takes place at the right speed, reactors have systems that accelerate, slow or shut down the nuclear reaction, and the heat it produces.
This is normally done with control rods, which typically are made out of neutron-absorbing materials such as silver and boron.
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Country Nuclear electricity generation capacity million kilowatts Nuclear electricity generation billion kilowatthours Nuclear share of country's total electricity generation United States Learn more U. Also on Energy Explained U. The chain reaction produces the energy, which turns water into steam. The pressure of the steam turns a generator, which produces electricity.
The difference is in how the heat is created. Power plants that run on fossil fuels burn coal, oil or natural gas to generate heat. In a nuclear energy plant, heat is produced from splitting atoms — a process called nuclear fission.
The super-heated water is carried to a steam generator, which is made up of many small pipes. The heat in these pipes is used to turn a second, isolated, supply of water to steam, which is in turn used to drive the turbine.
The water from the reactor is pumped back into the reactor vessel and reheated. The steam from the turbine is cooled in a condenser and the resulting water is sent back to the steam generator.
Enriched uranium is the fuel for nuclear reactors. Uranium is an abundant, naturally radioactive element found in most rocks. Those tubes heat a separate water source to create steam. The steam then turns an electric generator to produce electricity. BWRs heat water and produce steam directly inside the reactor vessel. Water is pumped up through the reactor core and heated by fission.
Pipes then feed the steam directly to a turbine to produce electricity. Nuclear reactors are the heart of a nuclear power plant. Nuclear Fission Creates Heat The main job of a reactor is to house and control nuclear fission —a process where atoms split and release energy. Fission and Fusion: What is the Difference?
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