What Is a Nuclear Reactor?

Nuclear reactor ^[1] , also known as atomic energy reactor or reactor, is a device that can maintain a controlled self-sustained chain nuclear fission reaction to achieve the use of nuclear energy. The nuclear reactor is rationally arranged with nuclear fuel, so that a self-sustained chain nuclear fission process can occur therein without the need to add a neutron source. Strictly speaking, the term reactor should cover fission reactors, fusion reactors, and fission fusion hybrid reactors, but generally refers only to fission reactors.

As early as 1929,

2 billion years ago ^[9]

There are many types of reactors, but it is mainly composed of an active area, a reflective layer, an external pressure shell, and a shielding layer. The active area is powered by nuclear fuel, moderator,

Nuclear power has an important advantage-it is very clean. Compared with thermal power stations, nuclear power plants are simply the ultimate in terms of environmental protection. Thermal power plants release more radioactive material into the atmosphere than nuclear power plants. At the same time, they also release large amounts of carbon, sulfur and other elements into the atmosphere.

Unfortunately, there are also some serious problems in the operation of nuclear power plants:

The extraction and purification of uranium is not a very clean process.

Unusually operating nuclear power plants can cause major problems.

Nuclear fission releases both energy and neutrons. Nuclear reactors have many uses, but in the final analysis, one is the use of fission nuclear energy, and the other is the use of

Critical state

When the uranium-235 atom splits (depending on how it splits), it releases two or three neutrons. If there were no uranium-235 atoms nearby, these neutrons would fly away as neutron rays. If the uranium-235 atom is part of a piece of uranium-and there are other uranium atoms nearby-then three things will happen:

If, on average, exactly one free neutron hits and ruptures another uranium-235 nucleus each fission, then the mass of this uranium is considered critical. Its mass will maintain a stable temperature. Nuclear reactors must be maintained in a critical state.

If, on average, fewer than one free neutron hits another uranium-235 atom, then the mass is subcritical. Eventually, the material-induced fission will end.

If, on average, more than one free neutron hits another uranium-235 atom, the mass of this uranium is supercritical. Uranium will heat up.

for

Sustainable development ^[16]

Nuclear reactor Saudi Arabia

On November 5, 2018, construction of Saudi Arabia's first nuclear reactor project for scientific research started. ^[8]

Nuclear reactor france

On November 27, 2018, French President Macron stated that by 2035, 14 of the 58 nuclear reactors currently operating in France will be closed, of which 4 to 6 will be closed by 2030. ^[19]