Alaa Shamsadeen (Power Plant)

Kurdistan region Government-Iraq
Ministry Of Higher Education & Scientific Research

Duhok Polytechnic University
Technical Engineering College Energy Engineering Department
Report About
(Nuclear Power Plant)
Submitted by:
Alaa Shamsadeen
3rd Class / Group (B)
Name of Evaluator:
Mr.Firas
Contents
Objective: ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction: ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Parts of nuclear power plants ....................................................................................................................... 4
How to nuclear power plant work ? ........................................................................................................... 13
Which country is currently producing the most nuclear power? .............................................................. 16
Ranked: The top 15 Countries for nuclear power....................................................................................... 17
Advantage and disadvantage of nuclear power plant ................................................................................ 18
Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 23
Objective:
The main objective of a nuclear power plant is to generate electricity in

a way that is reliable, efficient, and relatively low-carbon.
Introduction:
Nuclear power plants are facilities that generate electricity using nuclear
fission, a process that splits atomic nuclei to release energy. This energy
is then used to heat water, creating steam that drives turbines to
generate electricity. Nuclear power is a complex and controversial topic,
but it is an important source of energy for many countries around the
world.
Nuclear power plants stand as potent testaments to human ingenuity,
harnessing the immense energy locked within atomic nuclei to illuminate
our homes and fuel our progress. Yet, their inner workings are far from
simplistic, weaving together a tapestry of physics, engineering, and social
implications. Delving into this intricate world, we discover not just a
significant source of electricity but a technology fraught with historical
echoes, diverse designs, intricate operations, and a future intertwined
with environmental concerns and ethical considerations.
Figure 1:nuclear power plant

Parts of nuclear power plants
A) Containment Building:
 A strong, steel-and-concrete structure that surrounds the reactor

core.
 Designed to contain radioactive material in case of an accident.
B) Control Rods:
 Long, slender rods made of a neutron-absorbing material like

boron or hafnium.
 Inserted into the reactor core to control the rate of nuclear fission
and power output.
 By moving the rods in and out, operators can adjust the reaction
rate and prevent overheating.
C) Reactor:
 The heart of the plant, where nuclear fission takes place.

 Contains the nuclear fuel, typically uranium pellets encased in
metal rods.
 Control rods are inserted here to regulate the fission process and
heat generation.
D) Steam Generator:
 A large heat exchanger that transfers heat from the reactor coolant
to a secondary loop of water.
 In pressurized water reactors (PWRs), the hot reactor water
doesn't directly contact the turbine.
 The steam generator separates the radioactive primary loop from
the non-radioactive secondary loop
E) Steam Line:
 Large pipes that carry high-pressure, high-temperature steam from

the steam generator to the turbine.
 Made of thick steel and heavily insulated to prevent heat loss and
maintain pressure.
F) Pump:
Several types of pumps are used in a nuclear power plant for

various purposes:
 Circulating pumps: Move the reactor coolant through the primary
loop.
 Feedwater pumps: Supply water to the steam generator.
 Condenser circulating pumps: Circulate cooling water through the
condenser.
G) Generator:
 A large electrical machine that converts mechanical energy from

the turbine into electricity.
 Rotates within a magnetic field, inducing an electric current in its
windings.
 The type of generator used depends on the plant's design and
power output
H) Turbine:
 A large rotary engine that converts the thermal energy of steam

into mechanical energy.
 Steam expands through the turbine blades, creating torque that
spins the rotor.
 The turbine is connected to the generator's shaft, driving its
rotation and electricity production.
I) Cooling Water Condenser:
 A large heat exchanger that condenses steam exiting the turbine

back into water.
 Uses a continuous supply of cooling water to remove heat from the
steam.
 The cooled water is then pumped back to the cooling tower or
discharged into a nearby body of water.
J) Cooling Tower:
 Tall structures that help cool the water exiting the condenser.
 Used in some plants to reduce the amount of water drawn from
and returned to nearby bodies of water.
 Water is circulated through the tower and cooled by air, reducing
its temperature before returning to the condenser.
K) Fuel Rods:
 Long, slender tubes containing the nuclear fuel, typically uranium

pellets.
 Bundled together in assemblies that are loaded into the reactor
core.
 Nuclear fission occurs within the fuel rods, releasing heat that is
used to generate steam.
L) Transformers:
 Electrical devices that change the voltage and current of

electricity.
 Step up the voltage generated by the plant to high-transmission
levels for efficient power distribution.
 Step down the voltage at substations for delivery to homes and
businesses.
How to nuclear power plant work ?
Step 1: Fuel and Control
 Fresh fuel rods (enriched uranium) are loaded into the reactor core.
 Control rods are positioned to regulate the fission rate and power
output.
Step2: Fission and Heat
 Nuclear fission in the core releases tremendous heat.
 Control rods absorb neutrons to control the reaction and prevent

overheating.
Step3: Heat Transfer
 Water circulates around the core, absorbing heat (primary

coolant).
 This hot water doesn't directly contact the radioactive fuel.
Step4: Steam Generation
 Two types of reactors:

o Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs): Hot water transfers
heat to a secondary loop, generating steam in a separate
steam generator.
o Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs): Water boils directly in the
core, producing steam.
Step5: Turbine Rotation
 High-pressure steam from the reactor (BWR) or steam generator

(PWR) drives a turbine, rotating its shaft.
Step6: Electricity Generation
 The rotating turbine shaft turns a generator, converting mechanical

energy into electricity (AC) for the power grid.
Step7: Steam Condensation
 After passing through the turbine, steam is cooled back into water
in a condenser using nearby cooling water.
Which country is currently producing the most nuclear power?
Ranked: The top 15 Countries for nuclear power
Advantage and disadvantage of nuclear power plant
Advantage :
1. High energy output: A single nuclear reactor can generate enough
electricity to power hundreds of thousands of homes.
2. Low greenhouse gas emissions: Nuclear power plants do not produce
greenhouse gases during operation, making them a clean energy source.
3. Reliable energy source: Nuclear power plants operate 24/7, regardless of

weather conditions, unlike solar and wind power.
4. Medical Applications: Radioactive isotopes from nuclear reactors have
medical uses like cancer treatment.
5. Job creation: The nuclear power industry creates high-paying jobs in

construction, operation, and maintenance.
Disadvantages of Nuclear Power Plants:
1. Radioactive Waste:
Long-term storage challenges: Nuclear waste remains radioactive for
thousands of years, requiring safe and secure long-term storage
solutions.
In this Figure : Lifecycle of nuclear waste. Radioactive elements (1)

encased in fuel rods are split into smaller elements (2) by high-energy
reactions. These reactions release energy as heat (3) and also generate
free particles. In a nuclear reactor, this heat converts water to steam,
which turns turbines to generate electricity (4). At the end of its cycle,
the nuclear fuel rods are cooled in pools of water for several years (5),
and then may be disposed in dry cask storage (6).
2. Safety Concerns:
Potential for accidents: Although rare, accidents like the Chernobyl and
Fukushima disasters raise concerns about the potential for radioactive
releases and public safety risks.
3. High Construction Costs:

Building and maintaining nuclear plants is expensive: The upfront
investment for construction and stringent safety regulations contribute
to higher costs compared to some other energy sources.
4. Proliferation Risks:
Potential misuse of technology: Nuclear technology can be misused for
weapons development, raising concerns about proliferation and security
risks.
Conclusion
In conclusion Nuclear power's journey has been marked by both
hope and fear. Once seen as a clean energy savior, accidents like
Chernobyl led to a harsh reality check. Today, climate concerns
reignite interest, but safety concerns and waste disposal remain
hurdles. Ultimately, the future of nuclear power depends on
responsible development, open communication, and careful
consideration of its potential within a sustainable energy mix.
References:
1. Newmark, N.M., Blume, J.A. and Kapur, K.K., 1973. Seismic design
spectra for nuclear power plants. Journal of the Power Division,
99(2), pp.287-303.
2. Hashemian HM. On-line monitoring applications in nuclear power
plants. Progress in Nuclear Energy. 2011 Mar 1;53(2):167-81.
3. Fernández-Arias, P., Vergara, D. and Orosa, J.A., 2020. A global
review of PWR nuclear power plants. Applied Sciences, 10(13),
p.4434.

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Kurdistan region Government-Iraq

Ministry Of Higher Education & Scientific Research

(Nuclear Power Plant)

3rd Class / Group (B)

The main objective of a nuclear power plant is to generate electricity in

Figure 1:nuclear power plant

 A strong, steel-and-concrete structure that surrounds the reactor

 Long, slender rods made of a neutron-absorbing material like

 The heart of the plant, where nuclear fission takes place.

 Large pipes that carry high-pressure, high-temperature steam from

Several types of pumps are used in a nuclear power plant for

 A large electrical machine that converts mechanical energy from

 A large rotary engine that converts the thermal energy of steam

 A large heat exchanger that condenses steam exiting the turbine

 Long, slender tubes containing the nuclear fuel, typically uranium

 Electrical devices that change the voltage and current of

Step 1: Fuel and Control

Step2: Fission and Heat

 Nuclear fission in the core releases tremendous heat.

 Control rods absorb neutrons to control the reaction and prevent

 Water circulates around the core, absorbing heat (primary

Step4: Steam Generation

 Two types of reactors:

Step5: Turbine Rotation

 High-pressure steam from the reactor (BWR) or steam generator

Step6: Electricity Generation

 The rotating turbine shaft turns a generator, converting mechanical

Step7: Steam Condensation

3. Reliable energy source: Nuclear power plants operate 24/7, regardless of

5. Job creation: The nuclear power industry creates high-paying jobs in

In this Figure : Lifecycle of nuclear waste. Radioactive elements (1)

3. High Construction Costs:

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