20 Terms
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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
core damage frequency
Energy; Nuclear energy
An expression of the likelihood that, given the way a reactor is designed and operated, an accident could cause the fuel in the reactor to be damaged.
core
Energy; Nuclear energy
The central portion of a nuclear reactor, which contains the fuel assemblies, moderator, neutron poisons, control rods, and support structures. The reactor core is where fission takes place.
cooling tower
Energy; Nuclear energy
A heat exchanger designed to aid in the cooling of water that was used to cool exhaust steam exiting the turbines of a power plant. Cooling towers transfer exhaust heat into the air instead of into a ...
cooldown
Energy; Nuclear energy
The gradual decrease in reactor fuel rod temperature caused by the removal of heat from the reactor coolant system after the reactor has been shutdown.
coolant
Energy; Nuclear energy
A substance circulated through a nuclear reactor to remove or transfer heat. The most commonly used coolant in the United States is water. Other coolants include heavy water, air, carbon dioxide, ...
controlled area
Energy; Nuclear energy
At a nuclear facility, an area outside a restricted area but within the site boundary, to which the licensee can limit access for any reason.
control room
Energy; Nuclear energy
The area in a nuclear power plant from which most of the plant's power production and emergency safety equipment can be operated by remote control.
