Page 110 - How It Works - Book of Amazing Answers To Curious Questions, 12

� AMAZIG ANSWERS TO CURIOUS QUESTIONS

6. Reactor
coolant pumps enclosed in a
Pumps constantly reinforced concrete
building, designed to
circulate water to cool contain radiation
the reactor and
transfer heat to the leakage in the event
of an accident.

The reactor comprises the
uranium fuel rods and control
rods, housed in a steel
containment vessel.

of the bundle. This increases the rate of free powers a generator, which produces an electric providing additional radioactive shielding. The
neutrons colliding with uranium atoms to keep current. And voila: usable electric power. steel liner is surrounded by an outer concrete
the fission reaction going. Nuclear fission produces high levels of structure, designed to contain the radiation,
Apart from the fission reaction, a nuclear gamma and beta radiation, which can mutate even in the event of an earthquake. Modern
plant works the same basic way as a coal­ cells, causing cancer and birth defects, among nuclear power plants also include advanced
burning plant: the fuel generates heat, other things. Naturally, the most important automatic cooling systems, which kick into
which boils water, which produces steam, concern when designing a nuclear power plant action in the event of the reactor or other
which turns a turbine, which drives an is containing this dangerous radiation. equipment overheating.
electric generator. A modern nuclear power plant has many The spent uranium rods are also highly
In a pressurised water reactor, the heat from layers of protection. The pressure vessel that radioactive, which means power plants can't
fission doesn't produce steam directly. The contains the uranium rods is encased in a thick just throw them away. The best solutions
fission reaction heats the water inside the concrete liner, which blocks gamma radiation. anyone has come up with so far is to encase the
pressure vessel to about 325 degrees Celsius, but The entire reactor and the steam generator nuclear waste in massive concrete and steel
the water is kept under high pressure to keep it system are housed in a giant steel liner, structures or bury it underground.
from boiling. A pumping system drives this hot
water through a pipe that runs to a separate
water reservoir, in the steam generator. The What are the pros and cons ofnucleower
pipe heats the water in the steam generator to -y-he remarkable advantage of involved in both mining and processing Nobody wants it in their backyard.
the boiling point, and it produces steam. The I nuclear power plants is that they uranium produces greenhouse gasses. Another concern is waste falling into the
generate electricity without emitting The bigger problem is fuel wrong hands, giving terrorists material
rushing steam turns a turbine and then reaches any air pollution. The clouds billowing radioactivity. As Chernobyl for weapons.
a cooling system. As the steam cools, it from cooling towers are nothing but demonstrated, accidents can cause In recent years, dozens of nations
condenses back into a liquid. The liquid water harmless steam. widespread disease. Nuclear waste have decided the benefits are worth the
Nuclear power does take a toll on the remains highly radioactive for thousands risks and are forging ahead. They're
returns to the reservoir, and boils again, environment, however. Mining uranium of years, and there's already more than touting nuclear power as the way of the
repeating the cycle. As the turbine spins, it destroys natural habitats, and the activity 60,000 metric tons of it to deal with. future -just as it was 60 years ago.

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