Nuclear Energy
Boiling Water Reactor Plant
A light-water reactor in which water boils in the core and steam goes directly to the turbine.
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Labelled system
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Original ENERGY ATLAS schematic. Interactive 3D is opt-in on this page.
Houses core, separators, and dryers.
Overview
BWRs use a single steam cycle. Steam separators and dryers sit above the core. Control rods typically enter from below. The design is compact compared with a PWR nuclear island but places the turbine on the reactor steam cycle.
How it works
Coolant boils in the core. Steam quality is an inherent feedback: more steam means less moderation, which tends to reduce power. After the turbine, steam is condensed and returned as feedwater.
Components
Reactor vessel
Houses core, separators, and dryers.
Recirculation system
Helps control core flow in many designs.
Containment
Includes suppression pools in many plants.
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