Nuclear Reactor

heats water to run a steam turbine

A nuclear reactor operates just below critical mass so that each radioactive decay in its fuel rods induces a large but finite number of subsequent fissions. Since each chain reaction gradually weakens away to nothing, there is no danger that the fuel will explode. But operating just below critical mass is a tricky and it involves careful control of the environment around the nuclear fuel rods. The operators use neutron absorbing control rods to dampen the chain reactions and keep the fuel just below critical mass.

Hi,

  in regard to how a nuclear power plant works. Instead of burning coal to generate steam, which turns the big turbines at the plant ( which generates the power ), the plant uses enriched uranium, mostly U-235 in which they lower and raise control rods in the reactor; to generate more power, the raise the rods up, out of the water, to generate less, the opposite. Contrary to many people's fear of atomic energy, when its done within strict guidelines, its a safe form of generating energy, but the downside is how to store the used uranium when replacement time rolls around. Still, with coal,oil and natural gas supplies dwendling over time, more nuclear power plants will surely be built. For more specific info, you can do a web search and probably find more detailed info on this energy option. Mark Savage

Inspectorgadget, you are flirting with classified information.

However, I will say that the 92/U\235 pellets that compose rods in the reactor require more than just 48/Cd\112 rods to moderate the reaction.  The fuel pellets require special treatment with 4/Be\8 and 3/Li\6 to attain safety and efficiency needed to produce meaningful amounts of power. 

The Soviets found that out the hard way at Chernobyl.  They were finally smart enough to listen to Sandia and Brookhaven, and allow Wilcox/Babcock to redo 25 of their antiquated carbon-core breeder nuclear generating stations through the Ukraine and Caucuses.