Nuclear reactor technology

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A nuclear reactor is a device to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction. The most common use of nuclear reactors is for the generation of electrical power (see Nuclear power) and for the power in some ships (see Nuclear marine propulsion). This is usually accomplished by methods that involve using heat from the nuclear reaction to power steam turbines. There are also other less common uses as discussed below.

• 1 How it works
  • 1.1 Fission
  • 1.2 Heat generation
  • 1.3 Cooling
  • 1.4 Reactivity control
  • 1.5 Electrical power generation
• 2 History - Early reactors
• 3 Components
• 4 The people in a nuclear power plant
• 5 Reactor types
  • 5.1 Classifications
    • 5.1.1 Classification by type of nuclear reaction
    • 5.1.2 Classification by moderator material
    • 5.1.3 Classification by coolant
    • 5.1.4 Classification by generation
    • 5.1.5 Classification by phase of fuel
    • 5.1.6 Classification by use
  • 5.2 Current technologies
  • 5.3 Future and developing technologies
    • 5.3.1 Advanced reactors
    • 5.3.2 Generation IV reactors
    • 5.3.3 Generation V+ reactors
    • 5.3.4 Fusion reactors
• 6 Nuclear fuel cycle
  • 6.1 Fueling of nuclear reactors
• 7 Safety
• 8 Natural nuclear reactors
• 9 See also
• 10 References
• 11 External links

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