Nuclear Energy - Energie EDF
Nuclear Energy - Energie EDF
Nuclear Energy - Energie EDF
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<strong>Nuclear</strong> energy<br />
FROM THE ATOM<br />
TO ELECTRICAL<br />
POWER:<br />
HOW DOES IT WORK<br />
(1) Inside the reactor core, nuclear fi ssion generates a<br />
large amount of heat. Water, heated to 320 °C, fl ows<br />
through a circuit where it is pressurized in order to<br />
keep it in a liquid state.<br />
(2) The primary circuit heats the secondary circuit by<br />
applying the heat exchange principle. Inside the steam<br />
generator, water in the secondary circuit is turned into<br />
steam. This steam rotates a turbine, which is<br />
connected to a generator that produces electricity.<br />
Electricity is then transmitted along very high-voltage<br />
power lines from the transformer.<br />
(3) Water inside the cooling circuit cools the secondary<br />
circuit upon contact with air inside the cooling tower.<br />
In power plants without cooling towers, the cooling<br />
function is fulfi lled by sea or river water.<br />
08<br />
A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WITH A COOLING TOWER: HOW IT WORKS<br />
Reactor building<br />
(nuclear area)<br />
River<br />
Reactor<br />
vessel<br />
Pressuriser<br />
Steam<br />
generator<br />
Pump<br />
1<br />
Primary circuit<br />
Turbine building<br />
(non-nuclear area)<br />
Turbine<br />
2<br />
Secondary circuit<br />
Main<br />
generator<br />
Condenser<br />
Cooling tower<br />
emitting water<br />
vapour<br />
3<br />
Cooling circuit
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