Nuclear Energy
Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor
A British graphite-moderated, carbon-dioxide-cooled reactor with a prestressed concrete pressure vessel in commercial designs.
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Labelled system
Explore in 3D
Original ENERGY ATLAS schematic. Interactive 3D is opt-in on this page.
Moderator bricks and channels.
Overview
AGRs succeeded Magnox reactors in the UK. Graphite moderates neutrons; carbon dioxide cools the fuel and carries heat to steam generators inside a concrete vessel.
How it works
Fuel is slightly enriched uranium oxide in stainless-steel cladding. Coolant is circulated by gas circulators. High gas outlet temperatures support a conventional steam plant.
Components
Graphite core
Moderator bricks and channels.
Concrete pressure vessel
Contains coolant, core, and boilers in commercial AGRs.