ME413 (Nuclear Power Plant) (131217)

Department of Mechanical Engineering, CUET 1
Nuclear Energy
With the acute shortage of other sources of energy, namely

fossil-based fuels and hydel sources, the use of nuclear energy
has become an inevitable option for many countries. The
amount of heat generated from 1 kg of nuclear fuel is equivalent
to the energy generated by burning 3000 tons of coal or 1600
tons of oil.
Advantages of nuclear power plant
 Less space requirement
 Consumes very small quantity of fuel
 Fuel transportation cost is less
 Large fuel storage facility is not required
Disadvantages
 High initial and maintenance costs
 Not suitable for varying load conditions
 Radioactive wastes should be disposed off carefully
 Requires trained operators
Atomic structure
Atom consists of a relatively heavy, positively charged
nucleus and a number of much lighter negatively charged
electrons. Electron exist in various orbits around the nucleus.
The nucleus consists of two sub-particles known as nucleons.
Atom = positively charged nucleus (nucleaons) + negatively
charged electrons.
Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam
neutrons (electrically neutral)

Nucleaons
protons (positively charged)
electron
proton
neutron
H2 Heavy Helium
hydrogen
(deuterium)
The electric charge of the proton is equal in magnitude but

opposite in sign to that of electron. The atom is electrically
neutral as a whole. The number of protons is equal to the
number of electrons in orbit.
One atom may be transformed into another by losing or
acquiring some of the subparticles (nucleons + electrons).
Such reactions result in a change in mass Δm and therefore
release (or absorb) large quantities of energy ΔE, according to
Einstein’s law
ΔE = Δm.C2
C = speed of light in vacuum = 2.997925×108 m/s
Neutron mass, mn = 1.008665 amu
Proton mass, mp = 1.007277 amu
Electron mass, me = 0.0005486 amu
1 amu (atomic mass unit) = 1.6605402×10-27 kg

Atomic number, Z = number of proton in the nucleus

Mass number, A = total number of nucleons in the nucleus
Nuclear symbols
Z XA
X  usual chemical symbol

1 H1 1 D2 2 He 4
Binding energy: The nuclear force acts only when the nucleons
are very close to each other and binds them into a compact
stable structure. The energy associated with this force is
known as binding energy.
To disrupt a nucleus and separate it into its component
nucleons, energy must be supplied from outside.
Let
M = mass of an atom (mass of nucleus + electrons)
mn = mass of neutron
mH = mass of proton + electron
N = neutron number (A – Z)
Then binding energy, B = Nmn + ZmH – M amu
Valence electrons: Electrons that orbit in the outermost shell of
an atom are known as valence electrons. The outermost shell
is called valence shell.
Isotope: Isotopes of the same element have the same atomic
number (Z) but differ in mass number (A).

Uranium isotopes
Atomic number, Z = 92
Mass numbers, A = 227 – 240 (14)
Natural uranium is composed of
99.282 % 92 U 238
0.712 % 92 U 235

0.006 % 92 U 234
Radioactive decay
All isotopes of heavier elements starting from atomic number
Z = 84 posses weak binding energy/nucleon and have the
tendency to emit radiation until a more stable nucleus is formed.
This new nucleus is called daughter and the original nucleus is
called parent. This is a spontaneous disintegration process,
known as radioactive decay.
Radioactive isotopes are known as radioisotopes.
Radioactivity means a radioisotope continuously undergoes
spontaneous disintegration, usually with the emission of one
or more smaller particles from the parent nucleus, changing it
into another, or daughter nucleus. The daughter may or may not
be stable, and several successive decays may occur until a stable
isotope is formed.
Radioactivity is characterized by either decrease in mass or
liberation of energy (in the form of KE) accompanied by
electromagnetic radiation.

Particle Symbol Charge

1
Neutron (n) 0n 0
1
Proton (p) 1p or 1H1 +1
0
Electron () -1e -1
0
Positron (+) +1e +1
Alpha particle () 2He
4
or 24 +2
Beta particle () -1e
0
or -10 -1
0
0
Gamma ray () 0
0
0
Neutrino () 0
Naturally occurring radioisotopes undergo the following types

of decay:
1. Alpha decay
Alpha particles are helium nuclei. They are commonly emitted
by the heavier radioactive nuclei.
Example: Decay of Pu239 into fissionable U235.
94Pu
239
 92U235 + 2He4
2. Beta decay
82Pb
214
 83Bi214 + -1e0 + 00
Beta particle is smaller than alpha particle. Penetrating power
is 100 times of alpha particle.
3. Spontaneous fission
Z+YX
A+B+C
 ZL
A
+ YMB + C 0n1

4. Electron capture
A nucleus captures an orbital electron from the orbit or shell
nearest to the nucleus. Electron capture is accompanied by x-
ray emission from the atom.
84Po
200
+ -1e0  83Bi
200
+ 0
0
5. Gamma decay
Gamma decay is the emission of electromagnetic radiation from
an unstable nucleus. Gamma decay does not alter atomic or
mass number.
92U
235
 92U
235
+ 00

Half life: It is the time during which one-half of a number of

radioactive species decay or one half of their activity cease.
Half-lives of isotopes
Isotope Half-life (year)
Plutonium-239 24110
Uranium-233 159,200
Uranium-235 703,800,000
Unit of radioactivity
The original unit for measuring the amount of radioactivity
was the Curie (Ci). It was defined corresponding to
measurement of the activity of 1 gm of Radium-226.
1 Ci = 3.615105 radioactive decays per second (dis/s)
In SI system Curie is replaced by Becquerel (Bq) and is defined
as 1 radioactive decay per second.
1 Bq = 1 dis/s = 2.70310-11 Ci
Chemical and nuclear equations

Chemical reactions involve the combination or separation of
whole atoms.
C + O2  CO2
In nuclear reactions, the reactant nuclei do not show up in the
products, instead we may find either isotopes of the reactants
or other nuclei. For example, if K, L, M, and N were chemical
symbols, the corresponding nuclear equation,

Z1 K A1  Z 2 LA 2  Z 3 M A 3  Z 4 N A 4
A1 + A2 = A3 + A4
Z1 + Z2 = Z3 + Z4
Nuclear fusion and fission
In fusion, two or more light nuclei fuse to form a heavier
nucleus.
In fission, a heavy nucleus is split into two or more lighter
nuclei.
In both, there is decrease in mass resulting in exothermic
energy.
Fusion
Energy is produced in the sun and stars by continuous fusion
reactions.
41 H1  2 He 4 2 1 e 0 Positron
(+vely charged electron)
Fission
Unlike fusion, which involves nuclei of similar electric charge
and therefore requires high kinetic energies, fission can be
caused by the neutron, which, being electrically neutral, can
strike and fission the positively charged nucleus at high,
moderate, or low speeds without being repulsed. Fission can
be caused by other particles, but neutrons are the only
practical ones that result in a sustained reaction because two
or three neutrons are usually released for each one absorbed in
fission. These keep the reactions going.

Fissionable isotopes
235 239 233
92U , 94Pu , and 92U are fissionable by neutrons of all
energies.
238 232 240
92U , 90Th , and 94Pu are fissionable by high-energy
neutrons only.
92 U 235  0 n1 54 Xe140  38 Sr 2 0 n1
94
Xe (Xenon)
Sr (Strontium)
Xenon
nucleus
Neutron lost by escape
or consumed in
nonfission reaction
neutron
235
92U
Strontium
nucleus
Neutron energies
Kinetic energy of a neutron,
1
KE n  m n V 2 V = speed of neutron
2
The newly born fission newtrons have energies 0.07517

MeV (million electron volts).
1 eV = 1.6021×10-19 J
Scattering: When neutrons travel through matter, they collide
with nuclei and are decelerated, mainly by the lighter nuclei,
10
thus giving up some of their energy with each successive

collision. This process is called scattering.
Neutrons are classified into three categories according to
energy:
(i) Fast  105 eV 20,000 km/s
(ii) Intermediate
(iii) Slow  1 eV 2200 m/s (thermal)
Fertile material
The material which absorbs neutrons and undergoes
spontaneous changes which lead to the formation of
fissionable material. 92U238 and 90Th232 are fertile materials,
they absorb neutrons and produce fissionable materials 94Pu239
and 92U233 respectively.
Breeding
The process of producing fissionable material from a fertile
material by neutron absorption.
92U
238
+ 0n1  92U239 +  radiation
92U
239
 93Np239 (Neptunium) + -1e0
93Np
239
 94Pu239 + -1e0
90Th
232
+ 0n1  90Th233 +  radiation
90Th
233
 91Pa233 (Protactinium) + -1e0
91Pa
233
 92U233 + -1e0

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There are many fission reactions that release different energy

values.
92U
235
+ 0n1  56Ba137 + 36Kr97 + 20n1
Before:
Neutron : 1.008665 amu
235
92U : 235.043915 amu
Total : 236.05258 amu
After:
137
56Ba : 136.9061 amu
97
36Kr : 96.9212 amu
Neutron(2) : 2.01733 amu
Total 235.84463 amu
Δm = 236.05258 – 235.84463 amu = 0.20795 amu 

1 amu = 1.6605402×10-27 kg
E = Δm (kg).C(m/s)2 C = 2.997925×108 m/s.

= 3.103×10-11 J. = ……. eV
 Energy from 1 atom = 3.103×10-11 J
Energy from 1 gm of U235 nuclei

Atomic mass = At amu
N = Nuclei/gm or atom/gm
Avagadro' s number
N
At
Avagadro’s number = 6.02252×1023 molecules/gmole
At = 235.043915 amu
6.02252 10 23
N  = 2.562296×1021 nuclei/gm
235.043915
 Energy from 1 gm,
= 3.103×10-11×2.562296×1021 J
= 7.95×1010 J ◄

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= 7.95×1010 W.s ◄
= 7.95×104 MW.s ◄
= 1325.3 MW.min ◄
= 22.09 MW.hr ◄
= 0.92 MW.day. ◄
Parts of a nuclear reactor

(i) Nuclear fuel: Fuel of a nuclear reactor should be
fissionable material which can be defined as an element or
isotope whose nuclei can be caused to undergo nuclear fission
by nuclear bombardment and to produce a fission chain
reaction.
233 235 239
92U , 92U , 94Pu
Fig.: Uranium dioxide fuel pellet
(ii) Moderator: In the chain reaction the neutrons are fast

moving neutrons (2 MeV). These fast moving neutrons are far
less effective in causing the fission of 92U235 and try to escape
from the reactor. To improve the utilization of these neutrons
their speeds are reduced. It is done by colliding them with the
nuclei of other material which is lighter, does not capture the
neutrons but scatters them. Such material is called
moderator. Materials with low atomic mass number make
best moderators.
Graphite, heavy water, light water, beryllium are
generally used as moderator.

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Beryllium: Atomic Weight 9.012182

Density 1.848 g/cm3
Melting Point 1287 °C
Boiling Point 2470 °C
(iii) Control rods: A nuclear reactor contains as much fuel as

is sufficient to operate a large power plant for several months.
The consumption of this fuel and the power level of the
reactor depends upon its neutron flux in the reactor core. The
energy produced in the reactor due to fission of nuclear fuel
during chain reaction is so much that if it is not controlled
properly the entire core and surrounding structure may melt and
radioactive fission products may come out. To control the
power of the reactor control rods are used. They have huge
neutron absorption cross sections. These rods can be moved in
and out of the holes in the reactor core assembly. Their insertion
absorbs more neutrons and damps down the reaction and their
withdrawal absorbs less neutrons. Thus power of reaction is
controlled by shifting control rods.
Boron or Cadmium in the form of cylinder or sheets are used
as control rods.

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(iv) Reflector: The neutrons produced during the fission

process will be partly absorbed by the fuel rods, moderator,
coolant or structural material etc. Neutrons left unabsorbed
will try to leave the reactor core never to return to it and will
be lost. Such losses should be minimized. It is done by
surrounding the reactor core by a material called reflector which
will send the neutrons back into the core.
Generally the reflector is made up of graphite and beryllium.
Reflector properties:
 Low absorption
 High reflection
 Radiation stability
 Resistance to oxidation
(v) Reactor vessel: It is a strong walled container housing the
core of the power reactor. It contains moderator, reflector,
thermal shielding and control rods.
(vi) Biological shielding: Shielding the radioactive zones in the
reactor from possible radiation hazard is essential to protect
the operating men from the harmful effects. During fission of
nuclear fuel, alpha particles, beta particles, deadly gamma rays
and neutrons are produced. Out of these neutrons and
gamma rays are of main significance. A protection must be
provided against them. Thick layers of
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steel, lead, polyethylene or concrete are provided all round the

reactor for stopping the gamma rays. Thick layers of metals or
plastics are sufficient to stop the alpha and beta particles.
(vii) Coolant: Coolant flows through and around the reactor

core. It is used to transfer the large amount of heat produced
in the reactor due to fission of the nuclear fuel during chain
reaction. The coolant either transfers its heat to another medium
or if the coolant used is water it takes the heat and gets
converted into steam (BWR) in the reactor which is directly sent
to the turbine.
 Stable under thermal condition
 Low melting point and high boiling point
 High heat transfer coefficient
 High specific heat
 High conductivity
 Good pumping characteristics
 Radioactivity induced in coolant by the neutron
bombardment should be nil.
H2O, D2O, Air, CO2, He, Liquid metal (Na).
Greater density
Higher specific heats

Less pumping power

16
Fig.: Reactor
Fig.: Reactor and biological shield

17
Reactor control
Reactor control  To start power
To increase
To decrease
To turn off
Methods:
(i) Use of control rods: Control rods provide the ability to
change the amount of neutron absorption. The control rods are
operated by control-rod drives that can move them in and out of
the core around a power equilibrium position which is usually
a partially inserted position.
(ii) Use of chemical shim in addition to control rods:
Chemical shim is the use of a soluble absorber, usually boric

acid (H3BO3), in the moderator coolant. Boric acid strongly
absorbs neutrons in proportion to the number of boron (B)
atoms and thus inhibits neutron multiplication. The
concentration of this absorber in the moderator coolant is
decreased slowly during the core lifetime to overcome the effect
of fuel depletion.
(iii) Use of reflectors: These are mechanically operated
devices, situated just outside the core. The reflectors are

swung away or toward or are axially moved with respect to
the core to increase or decrease power.
(iv) Use of movable fuel rods.
Radiation hazards
(i) Ionization: radiations ionize tissues into which they
penetrate, resulting in complete damage of tissue.
(ii) Displacement: atom in the tissue is displaced by
neutron and -radiation.
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(iii) Absorption: absorption of neutron by a tissue

nucleus leads to a radioactive nucleus, which results
in change in chemical nature, malfunctioning of
cell. Due to this cell gets damaged leading to
genetic modification.
Waste disposal
One of the major problems in the nuclear power plants is the
disposal of waste products that are highly radioactive. They
emit large quantities of  rays and these high-energy  rays
destroy all living matter through which they pass. The
radioactive products of 400 MW power station would be
equivalent to 100 tons of radium daily and the radioactive
effect of these plant products if exposed to atmosphere would
kill all the living organisms within an area about 100 square
miles.
Wastes require strong control to ensure that radioactivity is
not released into the atmosphere to avoid atmospheric
pollution.
Wastes form: (i) Liquid
(ii) Gas
(iii) Solid
Liquid wastes:
Ways of disposal
(i) Dilution: Liquid wastes are diluted with large
quantities of water and then released into the ground. This
method suffers from the drawback that there is a chance of
contamination of underground water if the dilution factor is
not adequate.
(ii) Concentration to small volumes and storage:
When the dilution of radioactive liquid wastes is not desirable
due to amount or nature of isotopes, the liquid wastes are

19
concentrated to small volumes and stored in underground tanks.

(iii) Freezing: Disposing off liquid waste by freezing is
an easy and economical method.
Gaseous wastes:
Gaseous wastes like strontium, caesium and iodine can
most easily result in atmospheric pollution. Strontium and
iodine are absorbed by the plants and they enter into the
human body through food. Caesium is absorbed in muscle and
strontium is absorbed in bones resulting in paralyses of the
body. Generally, radioactive gases are collected and stored in
a tank buried in the ground and disposed off to the atmosphere
through high stacks when radioactivity level is sufficiently
low.
Solid wastes:
Solid wastes consist of scrap material or discarded
objects contaminated with radioactive matter. These wastes if
combustible are burnt and the radioactive matter is mixed
with concrete, drummed and shipped for burial. Non-
combustible solid wastes, are always buried deep in the ground.
Spent nuclear fuel: Kept in water pool for year. Radiation
and heat still high after a year. Then moved to durable cask
for transport to secure place.

20
Fig.: Nucler fuel disposal (https://www.researchgate.net/)
Classifications of nuclear reactors

A. Fast reactor: Fission is caused by fast neutron. The
reactor has no moderator.
B. Thermal reactor: Fission is caused by slow or thermal
neutrons.
C.Intermediate reactor
Thermal reactors
i) Pressurized-water-reactor (PWR)
ii) Boiling-water-reactor (BWR)
iii) Gas-cooled-reactor (GCR)
iv) Heavy-water-reactor (PHWR)
Pressurized water reactor (PWR)
In a PWR, the coolant pressure is higher than the saturation
pressure corresponding to the maximum coolant temperature
in the reactor, so that no coolant boiling takes place.
Two loops: i) Coolant loop (primary loop)
ii) Water-steam loop (working fluid loop)
The coolant picks up reactor heat and transfers it to the working
fluid in the steam generator (heat exchanger). The

21
steam is then used in a Rankine type cycle to generate

electricity.
Fig: Schematic of a PWR power plant. (Wakil)
Fig: PWR power plant

22
Fig: PWR nuclear steam supply system.
Fig: Pressurized water reactor

23
Pressurizer
In PWR primary loops, the coolant is maintained at a pressure
around 155 bar greater than the saturation pressure
corresponding to the maximum coolant temperature in the
reactor. This avoids bulk boiling of the coolant and keeps it in
the liquid phase throughout the loop. Because liquids are
practically incompressible, small changes of volume caused
by changes in coolant temperatures because of normal load
changes cause severe or oscillatory pressure changes. These
may be quite unsafe when the pressures increase. They cause
flashing into steam and consequent disruption of the reactor
nuclear characteristics and possible burnout of the reactor fuel
elements. They cause cavitation when the pressures decrease.
For these reasons it is necessary to provide a surge chamber that
will accommodate coolant (also moderator) volume changes
while maintaining pressure within acceptable limits. Such a
chamber is called a pressurizer.
 Vapor pressurizer
 Gas pressurizer
Vapor pressurizer
 A small boiler
 Liquid in the pressurizer is the same as the primary
coolant.
 It is maintained by controlled electrical heating at a
constant temperature and consequently a constant vapor
pressure above its full surface.
 The pressure in the pressurizer is same as that of the
primary coolant at the junction between the pressurizer and
the hot leg of the primary loop.
 The pressurizer temperature is higher than the primary
coolant temperature.

24
 The heaters are of the electric immersion type, located in

the lower section of the pressurizer vessel. These heaters
are also used to heat the pressurizer and its contents at the
desired rate during plant startup.
 The bottom of the pressurizer is connected to the hot leg
of the primary coolant system. A spray nozzle located at the
top of the pressurizer is connected, via control valves, to the
cold leg of the primary coolant system near the pump.
Under normal full-power operation, the pressurizer is about
half full of water. The top half is full of vapor.
 During a positive surge, the volume of the primary
coolant increases and the vapor in the top half is compressed.
Entry of the cooler (T1<T2) primary coolant into the
pressurizer condenses some of the vapor, thus limiting the
pressure rise. In addition, the spray valves are power-actuated,
and a cool spray (under pump pressure) enters the top, which
helps condense vapor at a rapid rate and limits pressure rise.
 A negative surge decreases the primary-coolant volume
and expands the vapor in the pressurizer, thus causing a
momentary reduction in pressurizer pressure. The liquid in the
pressurizer then partially flashes into vapor, and assisted by
further steam generation because of the automatic actuation of
the electric heaters, the pressure is maintained above a
minimum allowable limit.
 A power-operated relief valve is attached to the top of
the pressurizer to protect against pressure surges that are beyond
the capacity of the pressurizer. The relief valve, in such a
case, discharges steam into a pressurizer relief tank that is
partly filled with water under a nitrogen blanket at near-
room temperature and in which the vapor condenses. The
condensate then goes to a waste-disposal system.

25
Fig: Vapor pressurizer
Gas pressurizer
 A large volume of gas situated above the primary coolant
at the junction between the pressurizer and the hot leg of
the primary loop.
 The gas not miscible with the coolant.
 Limited to use in low-pressure systems.
26
Boiling-water reactor (BWR)

In the boiling water reactor, the coolant is in direct contact
with the heat-producing nuclear fuel and boils in the same
compartment in which the fuel is located. The reactor pressure
is maintained at about 70 bar. Because water and vapor
coexist in the core, a BWR produces saturated steam at about
285oC. The coolant serves the triple function of
 coolant
 moderator
 working fluid
Slightly subcooled liquid enters the reactor core at the bottom,
where it receives heat. When it reaches the top of the core, it
has been converted into a very wet mixture of water and
steam. The steam separates from the water, flows to the turbine,
does work, is condensed by the condenser, and is then pumped
back to the reactor by the feed water pump.
The saturated liquid that separates from the vapor at the top of
the reactor (internal) or in a steam separator (external)
flows downward via downcomers within or outside the reactor
and mixes with the return condensate. Modern large boiling
water reactors are of the internal, forced recirculation type.
The ratio of recirculation liquid to the saturated vapor
produced is called the recirculation ratio, R. It is a function
of core average exit quality, x e . This is necessary to avoid
large void fractions in the core, which would materially lower

the moderating powers of the coolant and result in low heat
transfer coefficients or vapor blanketing and burnout.

27
Fig: Schematic of a BWR system (a) internal (b) external

recirculation. (Wakil)
Fig: BWR power plant
Fig: Boiling water reactor

28
Re circulation liquid
Re circulating ratio, R 
Saturated vapor
 i = mass flow rate of liquid enters the core bottom

m
 g = vapor flow rate to turbine
m
 f = saturated recirculation liquid flow rate
m
 d = feed water flow rate from the power plant
m
m d
 g= m
x e = vapor-liquid quality at the core exit

m i=m
 g+m
f= m  d+mf
g m
m 
xe  = d
i m
m i
m  m
f m  
m 1
R= = i g = i  1=  1
g
m g
m g
m xe
x e  10-14
% R  6-10
Energy balance
m i hi = m  d hd
 f hf + m
 im
= (m  d )hf + m
 d hd
 d 
m 
 hi = 1 
m
h f  d h d
  i 
m i
m
=(1 x e )hf + x e hd
h f h i
29
xe  ◄
h f  hd
Total heat generation

Reactor as a system (internal),
Qt = m g (hg – hd)
Core as a system (external),


 i h f  x e h fg   h i
Qt  m 

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Gas cooled reactor (GCR)

 CO2 as coolant and graphite as moderator (UK, France).
 Helium coolant (USA, Germany).
Advantages
 Gases easy to handle
 Low macroscopic neutron cross section
 Plentiful and cheap (except helium)
 May be operated at high temperatures without high
pressurization.
Disadvantages
 Lower heat-transfer and heat-transport characteristics of
gases, which require large contact surfaces and flow
passages within the reactor and heat exchanger.
 High pumping requirements.
Fig.: Gas cooled reactor (http://www.world-nuclear.org/).

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Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor

Moderator: Heavy water (D2O)
Fuel: Natural uranium oxide (92U235)
The moderator in a large tank called Calandria, penetrated by
several hundred horizontal pressure tubes which form
channels for the fuels, cooled by a flow of heavy water under
high pressure in the primary cooling circuit, reaching 290oC. As
in the PWR, the primary coolant generates steam in a secondary
circuit to drive the turbines. The pressure tube design means that
the reactor can be refueled progressively without shutting down,
by isolating individual pressure tubes from the cooling circuit.
Fig.: Pressurized heavy water reactor (http://www.world-nuclear.org/)

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Fast-Breeder Reactor
Liquid metal fast breeder reactor (LMFBR)
Fast reactors are those whose neutrons are not slowed down
by a moderator.
Because sodium and other liquid metals suffer from high
induced radioactivities, and are generally chemically active,
intermediate coolant loops are used between the primary
radioactive coolant and the steam cycle. The intermediate
coolant is usually also a liquid metal, often Na or NaK. The
intermediate loop guards against reactions between the
radioactive primary coolant and water.
 Sodium and potassium both have low absorption cross-

sections.
 Sodium melts at 98oC and boils at 883oC.
 Sodium has higher specific heats than most metals.
 Sodium has a high thermal conductivity and it is cheap.
 Sodium need not be pressurized.
Fig: Schematic arrangement of a liquid-metal fast-breeder

reactor (LMFBR). (Wakil)

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Rooppur nuclear power plant

Capacity: 1200 MW 2 = 2400 MW
Reactor: PWR
VVER 1200
Earth quake resistant: RS 9.0
Target year: 2023, 2024
Construction starts: 30 Nov 2017
Project site: Pabna
Land: 105 hectare
Built by: Russian Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation
Fig: Rooppur nuclear power plant
References
M. M. El-Wakil, Powerplant Technology, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Singapore, 1984.
R. K. Hegde, Power Plant Engineering, Pearson, Delhi, 2015.
W. J. Kearton, Steam Turbine Theory and Practice, CBS Publishers & Distributors, India, 1988.
Web: http://www.world-nuclear.org/ (18/12/2016)

33
Fig: Reactor vessel

ME413 (Nuclear Power Plant) (131217)

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Department of Mechanical Engineering, CUET 1

With the acute shortage of other sources of energy, namely

neutrons (electrically neutral)

The electric charge of the proton is equal in magnitude but

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

Atomic number, Z = number of proton in the nucleus

X  usual chemical symbol

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

0.712 % 92 U 235

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

Particle Symbol Charge

Naturally occurring radioisotopes undergo the following types

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

Half life: It is the time during which one-half of a number of

Chemical and nuclear equations

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

The newly born fission newtrons have energies 0.07517

thus giving up some of their energy with each successive

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

There are many fission reactions that release different energy

Δm = 236.05258 – 235.84463 amu = 0.20795 amu 

E = Δm (kg).C(m/s)2 C = 2.997925×108 m/s.

Energy from 1 gm of U235 nuclei

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

Parts of a nuclear reactor

Fig.: Uranium dioxide fuel pellet

(ii) Moderator: In the chain reaction the neutrons are fast

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

Beryllium: Atomic Weight 9.012182

(iii) Control rods: A nuclear reactor contains as much fuel as

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

(iv) Reflector: The neutrons produced during the fission

steel, lead, polyethylene or concrete are provided all round the

(vii) Coolant: Coolant flows through and around the reactor

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

Fig.: Reactor and biological shield

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

Chemical shim is the use of a soluble absorber, usually boric

devices, situated just outside the core. The reflectors are

(iii) Absorption: absorption of neutron by a tissue

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

concentrated to small volumes and stored in underground tanks.

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

Fig.: Nucler fuel disposal (https://www.researchgate.net/)

Classifications of nuclear reactors

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

steam is then used in a Rankine type cycle to generate

Fig: Schematic of a PWR power plant. (Wakil)

Fig: PWR power plant

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

Fig: PWR nuclear steam supply system.

Fig: Pressurized water reactor

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

 The heaters are of the electric immersion type, located in

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

Fig: Vapor pressurizer

Boiling-water reactor (BWR)

large void fractions in the core, which would materially lower

Power Plant Engineering (Nuclear power plant) Dr. Bodius Salam

Fig: Schematic of a BWR system (a) internal (b) external