Nuclear Power Plant and Fission Process

These flashcards cover key concepts about the nuclear fission power plant, its components, the fission process, and the uranium fuel cycle.

What process occurs in the reactor core of a nuclear fission power plant?

Fission occurs where fuel rods submerged in water initiate a chain reaction in uranium-235.

How does the nuclear fission process generate steam in a power plant?

Water heated by fission in the primary loop boils water in the secondary loop, creating steam.

What role do control rods play in nuclear fission power plants?

Control rods absorb excess neutrons to regulate the chain reaction and prevent overheating.

What is the function of the cooling tower in a nuclear power plant?

The cooling tower circulates cold water to condense steam in the secondary loop into liquid water.

Why is uranium-235 preferred over uranium-238 in nuclear fission reactions?

U-235 is more unstable and gives off enough neutrons to sustain a chain reaction, while U-238 does not.

What is the required concentration of U-235 in the fuel for a continuous chain reaction?

U-235 needs to be concentrated between 3-5% of the fuel.

What happens to the fuel rods if the nuclear reactor gets too hot?

If it gets too hot, the fuel can melt down.

What is the overall process of turning uranium ore into fuel rods?

Uranium ore containing 0.2% of mineral uranium is processed into cakes of uranium oxide and enriched to 3% U-235.

What is the meaning of 'internal steam loop' in a nuclear power plant?

It refers to the steam loop where water that passes over the reactor core does not leave the power plant.

What is the nuclear fuel cycle?

The process includes uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, fabrication, usage in reactors, and waste storage.