A nuclear power plant is a facility that generates electricity using nuclear energy. It works on the principle of nuclear fission, where the nucleus of a heavy atom, usually uranium-235 or plutonium-239, splits into two smaller nuclei

Nuclear Power Plant
Nuclear Power Plant: An Overview
Introduction
A nuclear power plant is a facility that uses nuclear reactions to generate electricity. Unlike conventional power plants that burn fossil fuels, nuclear plants harness the energy released from nuclear fission—where the nucleus of an atom splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing a tremendous amount of energy. This energy is converted into heat, which produces steam to drive turbines and generate electricity.

History of Nuclear Power
The concept of nuclear energy emerged in the early 20th century, with the discovery of the atom's structure and the realization that splitting atomic nuclei releases enormous energy. The first controlled nuclear chain reaction took place in 1942 under the leadership of Enrico Fermi. By the 1950s and 1960s, commercial nuclear power plants were developed, and nuclear energy became a significant source of electricity worldwide.

Components of a Nuclear Power Plant
A typical nuclear power plant consists of several key components:

Reactor Core: The heart of the plant where nuclear fission occurs. It contains fuel rods made of enriched uranium or plutonium, control rods to manage the reaction rate, and a moderator to slow down neutrons.

Coolant System: A fluid (often water) that absorbs the heat generated in the reactor and transports it to the steam generator.

Steam Generator: Uses the heat from the coolant to convert water into steam.

Turbine: Driven by high-pressure steam to produce mechanical energy.

Generator: Converts mechanical energy from the turbine into electrical energy.

Cooling System: Cools the steam back into water after it passes through the turbine.

Containment Structure: A robust, airtight building that prevents radiation leakage.

Types of Nuclear Reactors
Nuclear reactors are classified based on their design and the type of coolant and moderator they use. Common types include:

Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR): Uses water as both coolant and moderator, maintaining high pressure to prevent boiling.

Boiling Water Reactor (BWR): Boils water directly in the reactor vessel to produce steam.

CANDU Reactor: Uses heavy water as a moderator and can use natural uranium as fuel.

Fast Breeder Reactor: Generates more fissile material than it consumes.

Working Principle
The working of a nuclear power plant involves several steps:

Nuclear fission in the reactor core releases heat.

The coolant absorbs the heat and transfers it to the steam generator.

Steam produced drives the turbine.

The turbine powers the generator to produce electricity.

Exhaust steam is cooled, condensed, and recirculated.

Advantages of Nuclear Power
High Energy Density: Small amounts of fuel produce large amounts of energy.

Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Nuclear plants emit negligible CO2 compared to fossil fuel plants.

Reliable Power Supply: Provides a continuous and stable energy output.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Power
Radioactive Waste: Spent fuel and other was

1. GUIDED BY ASST.PROF, POONAM PRUSTY 1 DHANESWAR RATH INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES,TANGI NUCLEAR POWER PLANT AS MAJOR ENERGY SOURCE PRESENTED BY JITENDRA KUMAR BARIK REGD NO.-2031229034 BRANCH-MECHANICAL ENGINNEERING

2. The basic principle of nuclear power station is same as steam power station. Only difference is that, instead of using heat generated due to coal combustion here in nuclear power plant , heat generated due to nuclear fission is used to produce steam from water in the boiler. This steam is used to drive a steam turbine. This turbine is the prime mover of the alternator. This alternator generates electrical energy. Although, the availability of nuclear fuel is not plenty but very less amount of nuclear fuel can generate huge amount of electrical energy. This is the unique feature of a nuclear power plant. One kg of uranium is equivalent to 4500 metric tons of high grade coal. That means complete fission of 1 kg uranium can produce as much heat as can be produced by complete combustion of 4500 metric tons high grade coal. This is why, although nuclear fuel is much costlier, but nuclear fuel cost per unit electrical energy is still lower than that cost of energy generated by means of other fuel like coal and diesel. To meet up conventional fuel crisis in present era, nuclear power station can be the most suitable alternatives. 2 ABSTRACT

3. contents INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………….4 COMPONENTS OF POWER PLANT…………………………………6 WORKING…………………………………………………………..7 NUCLEAR REACTOR…………………………………………………8 HEAT EXCHANGER…………………………………………………..10 STEAM TURBINES……………………………………………………11 ALTERNATOR………………………………………………………...11 ADVANTAGES……………………………………………………......12 DISADVANTAGES…………………………………………………....13 3

4. Introduction Electrical power can be generated by means of nuclear power. In nuclear power station , electrical power is generated by nuclear reaction. Here, heavy radioactive elements such as Uranium (U 235 ) or Thorium (Th 232 ) are subjected to nuclear fission. This fission is done in a Before going to details of nuclear power station, let’s try to understand what is fission? In fission process, the nuclei of heavy radioactive atoms are broken into two nearly equal parts. During this breaking of nuclei, huge quantity of energy is released. This release of energy is due to mass defect. That mean, the total mass of initial product would be reduced during fission. This loss of mass during fission is converted into heat energy as per famous equation E = mc 2 , established by Albert Einstein. special apparatus called as reactor. 4

5. Picture of plant 5

6. Different Components of Nuclear Power Station A nuclear power station has mainly four components. Nuclear reactor Heat exchanger Steam turbine Alternator 6

7. NUCLEAR REACTOR In Nuclear reactor, Uranium 235 is subjected to nuclear fission. It controls the chain reaction that starts when fission is done. The chain reaction must be controlled otherwise rate of energy release will be fast,there may be a high chance of explosion. So nuclear fuel such as U 235 are bombarded by slow flow of neutrons. 7

8. The emitted neutrons are called fission neutrons .These neutrons cause further fission, in very short time the rate of fission becomes so high. The rate of fission reaction can only be controlled by removing fission neutrons from nuclear reactor. The moderator is used to slow down the neutrons before collision with uranium nuclei. The control rods are made up of cadmium because cadmium is a strong absorber of neutrons. 8

9. HEAT EXCHANGER In heat exchanger, the heat carried by sodium metal,is dissipated in water is converted to high pressure steam here. After releasing heat in water the sodium metal coolant comes back to the reactor by means of coolant circulating pump. 9

10. STEAM TURBINE In nuclear power plant , the steam turbine plays the same role as coal power plant. The steam drives the turbine in same way . After doing it’s job, the exhaust steam comes into steam condenser where it condensed to provide space to the steam behind it. ALTERNATOR An alternator, coupled with turbine, rotates and generates electrical power for utilization. 10

11. Advantages of Nuclear Power Station As we said, the fuel consumption in this power station is quite low and hence, cost for generating single unit is quite less than other conventional power generation method. A nuclear power station occupies much smaller space compared to other conventional power station of same capacity. This station does not require plenty of water, hence it is not essential to construct plant near natural source of water. This also does not required huge quantity of fuel; hence it is also not essential to construct the plant near coal mine, or the place where good transport facilities are available. Because of this, the nuclear power station can be established very near to the load Centre. 11

12. Disadvantages of Nuclear Power Plant The fuel is not easily available and it is very costly. Initial cost for constructing nuclear power station is quite high. Erection and commissioning of this plant is much complicated and sophisticated than other conventional power station. The fission by products are radioactive in nature, and it may cause high radioactive pollution. The maintenance cost is higher and the man power required to run a nuclear power plant is quite higher since specialty trained people are required. Sudden fluctuation of load cannot be met up efficiently by nuclear plant. As the by products of nuclear reaction is high radioactive, it is very big problem for disposal of this by products. It can only be disposed deep inside ground or in a sea away from sea share. 12