light-water reactor

Light-water reactors (LWRs) are the most common type of nuclear power reactor globally. They use ordinary water as both a coolant and a moderator to control the nuclear fission process. There are two main types: Pressurized-Water Reactors (PWRs) and Boiling-Water Reactors (BWRs).1

In a PWR, water is kept under high pressure to prevent boiling, and it transfers heat to a secondary loop where steam is generated to drive turbines. A BWR allows water to boil directly within the reactor core, producing steam that then drives the turbines. LWRs typically use uranium dioxide fuel enriched to 3-5%. These reactors are crucial for electricity generation in many countries, though regulatory hurdles and aging infrastructure have presented challenges in some regions.123