A nuclear reactor, formerly known as an atomic pile, is a device used to initiat

e and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction. Nuclear reactors are used at n
uclear power plants for electricity generation and in propulsion of ships. Heat
from nuclear fission is passed to a working fluid (water or gas), which runs thr
ough steam turbines. These either drive a ship's propellers or turn electrical g
enerators. Nuclear generated steam in principle can be used for industrial proce
ss heat or for district heating. Some reactors are used to produce isotopes for
medical and industrial use, or for production of weapons-grade plutonium. Some a
re run only for research. As of April 2014, the IAEA reports there are 435 nucle
ar power reactors in operation, in 31 countries around the world.[1]
Contents [hide]
1 Mechanism
1.1 Fission
1.2 Heat generation
1.3 Cooling
1.4 Reactivity control
1.5 Electrical power generation
2 Early reactors
3 Components
4 Reactor types
4.1 Classifications
4.1.1 Classification by type of nuclear reaction
4.1.1.1 Nuclear fission
4.1.1.2 Nuclear fusion
4.1.2 Classification by moderator material
4.1.3 Classification by coolant
4.1.4 Classification by generation
4.1.5 Classification by phase of fuel
4.1.6 Classification by use
4.2 Current technologies
4.3 Future and developing technologies
4.3.1 Advanced reactors
4.3.2 Generation IV reactors
4.3.3 Generation V+ reactors
4.3.4 Fusion reactors
5 Nuclear fuel cycle
5.1 Fueling of nuclear reactors
6 Nuclear safety concerns and controversy
7 Nuclear accidents and controversy
8 Natural nuclear reactors
9 Emission
10 See also
11 References
12 External links
Mechanism[edit]
Main article: Nuclear reactor physics
An induced nuclear fission event. A neutron is absorbed by the nucleus of a uran
ium-235 atom, which in turn splits into fast-moving lighter elements (fission pr
oducts) and free neutrons. Though both reactors and nuclear weapons rely on nucl
ear chain-reactions, the rate of reactions in a reactor occurs much more slowly
than in a bomb.
Just as conventional power-stations generate electricity by harnessing the therm
al energy released from burning fossil fuels, nuclear reactors convert the energ
y released by controlled nuclear fission into thermal energy for further convers
ion to mechanical or electrical forms.
Fission[edit]