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nuclear power plant
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Brazil: Nuclear power plant Black-and-white photo of Calder Hall nuclear power station in Cumbria, UK, showing two large cooling towers, industrial buildings, and tall smokestacks. Civaux nuclear power plant, western France Tsuruga Shippingport Atomic Power Station, near Pittsburgh Large nuclear power plant with four cooling towers emitting steam and several striped smokestacks, located behind residential buildings in Lianyungang, China. Diagram of a Canada Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) nuclear reactor showing labeled components including the reactor core with control rods, calandria, pressure tubes, heavy water coolant and moderator, steam generator, turbine, electric generator, and water cooling system, with arrows indicating the flow of coolant, steam, and condenser water. Labeled diagram showing the process of a nuclear power plant with a pressurized-water reactor. Water circulates through the reactor core, heats to produce steam in a steam generator, which drives a turbine connected to an electric generator. Steam is then cooled in a condenser using water from a cooling tower, which releases nonradioactive water vapor. Control rods, pumps, and transmission lines are also indicated.
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nuclear power plant

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Brazil: Nuclear power plant
Brazil: Nuclear power plant Angra nuclear power plant, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro.

A nuclear power plant generates electricity using heat from a controlled nuclear fission chain reaction within a nuclear reactor. This process splits heavy atomic nuclei, releasing significant energy in the form of heat. This heat is used to produce steam, which drives turbines connected to electric generators.12345

Key components include the reactor vessel, fuel, coolant, and control rods. Coolants like water transfer heat from the reactor core. Safety systems are crucial to prevent the release of radioactive materials, which can cause severe health effects. While nuclear power offers a carbon-free energy source, concerns remain regarding safety, waste disposal, and the potential link to nuclear weapons.67389102

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
13 Britannica Sources
  1. nuclear reactor - Design and operating standards
  2. nuclear fission - Uses of fission reactors and fission products
  3. nuclear reactor - Heat removal
  4. nuclear reactor - Systems and structures
  5. nuclear reactor - Structural components
  6. nuclear weapon: Top Questions
  7. nuclear reactor - Coolants and moderators
  8. nuclear reactor - Fissile and fertile materials
  9. Climate Change - Is nuclear power an effective way of addressing climate change?
  10. solar energy: Top Questions
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  12. Nuclear Power
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