fission reactors
Nuclear power plants
Fission reactors are devices that generate energy by splitting heavy atomic nuclei—typically uranium or plutonium—in a controlled chain reaction.
The splitting releases enormous heat, which is usually converted to electricity via steam turbines.
Nuclear power plants use fission reactors, as do some submarines and spacecraft.
The aging fission reactor was scheduled for decommissioning.
- uranium-235Fissile nuclear isotope
- coolantTemperature-regulating fluid
- fuel rodsEncased fissile material tubes
- spent fuelUsed nuclear material
- plutonium-239Fissile actinide isotope
heat · electricity generation · atomic energy · core · cooling tower · depleted uranium · splitting atoms · radiation shielding · nuclear waste · control rods · heavy water · desalination plants · emergency shutdown · hum · graphite · glow · moderator · pump
- power systemsgenerators, turbines, power plants, power stations, electricity
- nuclear energynuclear power, nuclear fusion, uranium, plutonium, fusion
- spacecraft powersolar arrays, solar panels, solar cells, batteries, fuel cells
fission reactorssolar panels
Light-converting power generators
wind turbines · renewable energy · hydroelectric dams · coal plants · natural gas plants
fission, reactor, reactors, fissile, react, reaction, reactions, reactive, reactivity