Boiling Water Reactor

Introduction to boiling water reactor:

The boiling water reactor is a nuclear reactor used for the generation of electricity. After the pressurized water reactor the boiling water reactor is the most commonly used nuclear reactor. The boiling water reactor uses the neutron moderator and light water as a coolant. In this process the reactor core produces the heat by the nuclear fission reaction and this steam is used to drive the turbines which produce the electricity. After the process is completed this is converted back to liquid water by cooling it in a condenser.

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Major components of the system:


Condensate and feed water:

The steam that comes out of the turbine will be left into the condensers which are placed under the turbines where the steam is cooled and brought back to the liquid state. This water is then again pumped back to the feed water heaters. This water is heated and then again the process of water converting into the steam takes place.



Control system:

Changing the water flow through the reactor core and inserting or withdrawing the control rods are the two methods of controlling the reactor power.  Neutron absorption decreases in the control material on the withdrawal of the control rods which increases in the fuel hence the reactor power increases. The neutron absorption increases in the control material when the control rods are withdrawn hence the reactor power decreases.

Steam turbine:

The steam produced is let into the steam separators and drier plates which are situated above the core and directly passed through the turbine. The steam separator and the plates are the part of the reactor circuit; this is used because the water around the core is always contaminated with radionuclides.

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Advantages & disadvantages


Advantages:

The pressure required to operate reactor vessel and associated components is less
Reactor vessel is subjected to less radiation when compared to PWR
Can easily operate at a low nuclear fuel temperature
Components are less
Easy to handle
Disadvantages:

There are complex calculations managing the consumption during operation.
The size of the pressure vessel is much larger when compared to PWR
Short lived activation products contaminate the turbine