Power Generation/Nuclear Power/Part1

Introduction: Nuclear Power station

A Nuclear power station uses nuclear energy for generating electrical energy.

This power station is generally located far from populated areas. This kind of power station can be used to produce large amounts of electrical energy. In most countries these power stations are used as Base load power stations. This is because they can take several days to be warmed up and brought on-line.

Operation

Heavy elements such as Uranium ($$U^{235}$$) or Thorium ($$Th^{232}$$) are subjected to nuclear fission in a reactor to produce steam at high temperatures and pressure.

Steam runs a steam turbine which converts this energy into mechanical energy.

The turbine drives the alternator which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Pros & Cons: what this power station presents

Future generations will want to depend more on this type of electricity generating power station (and other renewable energy sources), due to a fast increasing depletion of fuels(Coal). There are a number of construction projects currently underway for this kind of power station around the world.