How a pressurised water reactor works

1. Uranium atoms in the fuel rods split, releasing energy and heating the water around them

 

2. Water in the reactor vessel is kept under pressure so that it heats, but does not boil

 

3. Heat carried to the steam generator vapourises water there, producing steam

Containment

building

Turbine

Pressuriser

Steam

Generator

Nuclear

fuel rods

Pump

Reactor

vessel

Steam

generator

Condenser

4. The steam drives a turbine and generator to produce electricity

 

5. Cold water, carried through pipes in the condenser, turns the steam to water to resupply the steam generator

1. Uranium atoms in the fuel rods split, releasing energy and heating the water around them

2. Water in the reactor vessel is kept under pressure so that it heats, but does not boil

3. Heat carried to the steam generator vapourises water there, producing steam

4. The steam drives a turbine and generator to produce electricity

Turbine

Containment

building

Generator

Pressuriser

Steam

5. Cold water, carried through pipes in the condenser, turns the steam to water to resupply the steam generator

Nuclear

fuel rods

Pump

Reactor

vessel

Steam

generator

Condenser