Nuclear energy

Nuclear energy

Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to split a nucleus of an atom into its component parts. The component parts are neutrons and protons, which are collectively called nucleons. The binding energy of nuclei is always a positive number, since all nuclei require net energy to separate them into individual protons and neutrons.

Industry: Energy

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Nuclear energy

pressurizer

Energy; Nuclear energy

A tank or vessel that acts as a head tank (or surge volume) to control the pressure in a pressurized water reactor.

pressure vessel

Energy; Nuclear energy

A strong-walled container housing the core of most types of power reactors. It usually also contains the moderator, neutron reflector, thermal shield, and control rods.

pressurized-water reactor (PWR)

Energy; Nuclear energy

A common nuclear power reactor design in which very pure water is heated to a very high temperature by fission, kept under high pressure (to prevent it from boiling), and converted to steam by a ...

power reactor

Energy; Nuclear energy

A reactor designed to produce heat for electric generation (as distinguished from reactors used for research), for producing radiation or fissionable materials or for reactor component testing.

preliminary notification (PN)

Energy; Nuclear energy

A brief summary report issued by the NRC staff to notify the Commission of the occurrence of a significant event that appears to have health and safety significance or major public or media interest. ...

power uprate

Energy; Nuclear energy

The process of increasing the maximum power level at which a commercial nuclear power plant may operate. This power level, regulated by the NRC, is included in the plant’s operating license and ...

power defect

Energy; Nuclear energy

The total amount of reactivity added due to a given change in power. It can also be expressed as the integrated power coefficient over the range of the power change.