96/03872 Verification of more general correspondence between eigenvalue separation and coupling coefficient

Abstract

This chapter deals with nuclear power, which plays an important role in electricity production. During the 20th century, as the understanding of nuclear physics developed, it was suggested that mass could in fact be turned into energy. This is what happens in a nuclear reactor, using atoms of particular metals such as uranium. In the middle of the last century, an extraordinary variety of experimental nuclear reactors were built and operated with every conceivable type of fuel, moderator, and coolant. The chapter describes the different kinds of reactors such as pressurized water reactor (PWR), boiling water reactor (BWR), pressurized heavy water reactor “CANDU” (PHWR), gas-cooled reactor (Magnox & AGR), light water graphite reactor (RBMK), and fast neutron reactor (FBR). The most popular reactor design for generating electricity is the pressurized water reactor. The common components of nuclear reactors are fuel, moderator, control rods, coolant, pressure vessel or pressure tubes, steam generator, and containment.