nuclear reactor

nuclear reactor

n.

Any of several devices in which a chain reaction is initiated and controlled, with the resulting heat typically used for power generation and the neutrons and fission products used for military, experimental, and medical purposes. Also called atomic reactor.

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nuclear reactor

n

(Physics / Nuclear Physics) a device in which a nuclear reaction is maintained and controlled for the production of nuclear energy Sometimes shortened to reactor Former name atomic pile See also fission reactor, fusion reactor

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nuclear reactor A device used to generate power, in which nuclear fission takes place as a controlled chain reaction, producing heat energy that is generally used to drive turbines and provide electric power. Nuclear reactors are used as a source of power in large power grids and in submarines. A Closer Look A nuclear reactor uses a nuclear fission chain reaction to produce energy. The cylindrical core of a reactor consists of fuel rods containing pellets of fissionable material, usually uranium 235 or plutonium 239. These unstable isotopes readily split apart into smaller nuclei (in the fission reaction) when they absorb a neutron; they release large quantities of energy upon splitting, along with more neutrons that may be absorbed by the nuclei of other isotopes, causing a chain reaction. The neutrons are expelled from the fission reaction at very high speeds, and are not likely to be absorbed at such speeds. Moderators such as heavy water are therefore needed to slow the neutrons to a speed at which they are readily absorbed. The fuel rods contain enough fissionable material arranged in close enough proximity to start a self-sustaining chain reaction. To regulate the speed of the reaction, the fuel rods are interspersed with control rods made of a material (usually boron or cadmium) that absorbs some of the neutrons given off by the fuel. The deeper the control rods are inserted into the reactor core, the more the reaction is slowed down. If the control rods are fully inserted, the reaction stops. The chain reaction releases enormous amounts of heat, which is transferred through a closed loop of radioactive water to a separate, nonradioactive water system, creating pressurized steam. The steam drives turbines to turn electrical generators.

nuclear reactor boiling water reactor

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A facility in which fissile material is used in a self-supporting chain reaction (nuclear fission) to produce heat and/or radiation for both practical application and research and development.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

nuclear reactor - (physics) any of several kinds of apparatus that maintain and control a nuclear reaction for the production of energy or artificial elements reactor apparatus, setup - equipment designed to serve a specific function atomic pile, atomic reactor, chain reactor, pile - a nuclear reactor that uses controlled nuclear fission to generate energy breeder reactor - a nuclear reactor that produces more fissile material than it burns control rod - a steel or aluminum rod that can be moved up or down to control the rate of the nuclear reaction core - the chamber of a nuclear reactor containing the fissile material where the reaction takes place fast reactor - nuclear reactor in which nuclear fissions are caused by fast neutrons because little or no moderator is used gas-cooled reactor - a nuclear reactor using gas as a coolant liquid metal reactor - a nuclear reactor using liquid metal as a coolant thermal reactor - a nuclear reactor in which nuclear fissions are caused by neutrons that are slowed down by a moderator fusion reactor, thermonuclear reactor - a nuclear reactor that uses controlled nuclear fusion to generate energy water-cooled reactor - nuclear reactor using water as a coolant natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics" moderator - any substance used to slow down neutrons in nuclear reactors

Translations

nuclear reactor n → reattore m nucleare

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nuclear reactor n → reattore m nucleare