Discover the different types of nuclear power plants and how they work
2 minute read • Graham Lumley • Last update April 2024
Nuclear reactors generate energy using one of two types of nuclear reactions: fission or fusion. Currently, there are no commercial fusion reactors around the globe because scientists have not yet discovered how to maintain the required temperatures long enough to generate net power.
There several different types of nuclear reactors, including:
Within the two types of nuclear reactors, there are several more subcategories.
Some of the notable fission reactor designs include:
In PWRs, water acts as both the coolant and moderator. The water is kept under high pressure to prevent boiling, and it transfers heat from the reactor core to a steam generator to produce electricity.
BWRs also use water as both the coolant and moderator. In this design, the water is allowed to boil directly in the reactor core, producing steam that drives the turbine to generate electricity.
HWRs use heavy water, which contains a higher concentration of deuterium, as both the coolant and moderator. Heavy water reactors can utilize natural uranium as fuel and are known for their efficient use of resources.
AGRs use carbon dioxide gas as the coolant and graphite as the moderator. This design is primarily employed in the United Kingdom and is known for its high thermal efficiency.
Two main approaches to achieving fusion reactions are:
MCF uses strong magnetic fields to confine and control a hot plasma of hydrogen isotopes, such as deuterium and tritium. The goal is to achieve conditions where fusion reactions can occur and sustain a self-sustaining plasma state.
ICF involves rapidly compressing and heating fuel pellets using powerful lasers or particle beams. The intense pressure and temperature cause the fuel to undergo fusion reactions. ICF is primarily being explored for its potential use in thermonuclear weapons and as a stepping stone toward achieving practical fusion power.
