How Nuclear Power Plants Work: Components, Reactor Types, and Energy Efficiency Explained
An Engineer Talk Hello Everyone! In previous blogs, we explored the workings of thermal power plants, which use steam turbines, and gas turbine power plants, which directly convert combustion energy into mechanical power. Both are widely employed in power generation, relying on the combustion of fuels like coal, gas, or oil. However, there is another powerful and efficient source of energy: nuclear power. Nuclear power plants operate on an entirely different principle, harnessing the immense energy stored within the nucleus of atoms. This method offers an alternative to conventional fossil-fuel-based systems, providing a highly efficient and low-carbon option for large-scale electricity generation. Introduction to Nuclear Power Plants A nuclear power plant uses nuclear reactions—primarily nuclear fission—to generate heat, ...