Question

List the five basic types of reactors.

   List the five basic types of reactors.

Process Technology Equipment and Systems

Process Technology Equipment and Systems

Charles E. Thomas 4th Edition

Chapter 14, Problem 9

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Katie Mcalpine

03/03/2020

Step 1

Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) Show more…

Show all steps

lock

Thanks for your feedback!

List the five basic types of reactors.

Play audio

Feedback

Powered by NumerAI

Katie Mcalpine and 74 other educators are ready to help you.

Ask a new question

Labs

Want to see this concept in action?

NEW

Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.

View Labs

Key Concepts

Fast Breeder Reactor

A reactor that operates with fast neutrons and does not use a moderator. Its design is centered on the production of more fissile material than it consumes by converting fertile isotopes into fissile ones, thereby extending the fuel supply and enabling advanced fuel cycle strategies.

Pressurized Water Reactor

A reactor design where water is maintained at high pressure so that it does not boil even at high operating temperatures. In this system, the water functions both as a coolant and a moderator, allowing the reactor to operate safely while efficiently transferring heat to produce steam in a separate circuit.

Boiling Water Reactor

A reactor in which water is permitted to boil directly in the reactor core, creating steam that drives the turbine generator. The design integrates the generation of steam with the fission process, simplifying the system by eliminating the need for a separate steam generator.

Heavy Water Reactor

A reactor that uses heavy water (deuterium oxide) as a moderator and coolant. The superior moderating efficiency of heavy water allows the reactor to use natural uranium as fuel, minimizing the need for enrichment and enhancing fuel economy under certain reactor designs.

Gas-Cooled Reactor

A reactor that employs a gas, such as carbon dioxide or helium, as the coolant while typically using a solid fuel and moderator. The high operating temperatures achievable with gas cooling can improve thermal efficiency and provide advantages in fuel utilization and safety design.

Recommended Videos

Transcript

Ace is your personal tutor. It breaks down any question with clear steps so you can learn.

Start Using Ace

Continue solving this problem

Create a free account to:

View full step-by-step solution
Ask follow-up questions with Ace AI
Save progress and study later