Natural Circulation in Nuclear Reactor Systems

The Natural Nuclear Reactor at Oklo: a Comparison with Modern Nuclear Reactors

Uranium contains only one naturally occurring isotope, 235U, which will sustain a nuclear chain reaction using normal water to moderate and reflect neutrons. At present, this isotope is present in low abundance (0.72%), requiring enrichment to 3% or greater for effective use in commercial nuclear reactors. Two billion years ago, however, the natural abundance of 235U was approximately 3%. Evide...

Nuclear Reactor Steam Generation

1. Steam Generation 1.1. General Characteristics 1.2. Circulation in Boiling Water Reactors 1.3. Steam Generation in CANDU Reactors 1.4. Steam Generators 1.5. Steam Generator for PWR and CANDU Systems 1.6. Heat Transfer 2. Steam Generator Operation 2.1. Swelling and Shrinking 2.1.1. Steady State Swelling and Shrinking 2.1.2. Transient Swelling and Shrinking 2.2. Level Control 2.3. Carryover 2.4...

Nuclear Reactor Kinetics

1. Reactor Kinetics 1.

Nuclear Reactor Hazards

Challenges to deployment of twenty-first century nuclear reactor systems.

The science and engineering of materials have always been fundamental to the success of nuclear power to date. They are also the key to the successful deployment and operation of a new generation of nuclear reactor systems and their associated fuel cycles. This article reflects on some of the historical issues, the challenges still prevalent today and the requirement for significant ongoing mat...