Nuclear reactor core

The reactor core ( core English ) is the part of a nuclear reactor containing the nuclear fuel, and in which runs the chain reaction.

The size and mass of the reactor core of a nuclear power plant depend on the reactor performance and the type of reactor. Based on an electrical output of 1,000 megawatts (for comparison, a block of the Biblis nuclear power plant has a capacity of about 1,300 megawatts) is the nuclear fuel inventory

• In a pressurized water reactor (PWR ): 80 t
• In a boiling water reactor (BWR ): 120 t
• In a heavy water reactor ( HWR ): 115 t
• At a Magnox reactor ( PFR ): 900 t
• In a gas -cooled reactor progressives ( AGR): 170 t
• At a high temperature reactor (HTR ): 24 t
• With a water -cooled graphite-moderated reactor ( LWGR ): 190 t
• In a fast breeder reactor ( SBR): 76 t

The reactor core is located in most types of reactors inside a reactor pressure vessel, and (also called Containment) that inside the containment. The resulting heat in the reactor core is used in most nuclear power plants to generate steam. This then drives the conventional part of the power plant to a turbine to the generator.

The reactor core is usually spatially divided into different zones. The central gap zone in which the power generating chain reaction can be surrounded example of a neutron reflector zone or, in the breeder reactor, from the breeding zone ( blanket ).