Page 16 - Dynamics and Control of Nuclear Reactors

2.3 Generation II reactors 7

Steamline
Walls made of Containment
concrete and Cooling System
steel
3–5 feet thick
(1–1.5 meters)
Steam
4 3 Generator
Reactor Control
Vessel Rods
Turbine
Generator

Heater
Condenser

Condensate
Pumps 2
Coolant Loop
Core
Feed 1
Pumps

Demineralizer Pressurizer
Reactor
Coolant
Pumps Containment Emergency Water
Structure Supply Systems
FIG. 2.1
Layout of a typical pressurized water reactor plant.
Source: U.S. NRC, www.nrc.gov/reactors/pwrs.html.

PWRs and BWRs are designated as light water reactors (LWRs) to distinguish
them from reactors that use other coolants. Design parameters of a typical commer-
cial PWR and a BWR are given in Appendix A.
Canada developed the CANDU reactor that uses natural Uranium fuel and heavy
water as a coolant and neutron moderator. In a CANDU reactor, heavy water flows
over fuel rods and extracts heat. The heated heavy water passes into a U-tube steam
generator similar to the type used in PWRs. Fig. 2.5 shows a schematic of a CANDU
reactor. CANDU reactors are pressurized heavy water-moderated reactors, often