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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
control rod
Energy; Nuclear energy
A rod, plate, or tube containing a material such as hafnium, boron, etc. , used to control the power of a nuclear reactor. By absorbing neutrons, a control rod prevents the neutrons from causing ...
containment building
Energy; Nuclear energy
The air-tight building, which houses a nuclear reactor and its pressurizer, reactor coolant pumps, steam generator, and other equipment or piping that might otherwise release fission products to the ...
committed dose equivalent (CDE)
Energy; Nuclear energy
The CDE (HT,50) is the dose to some specific organ or tissue of reference (T) that will be received from an intake of radioactive material by an individual during the 50-year period following the ...
contamination
Energy; Nuclear energy
Undesirable radiological, chemical, or biological material (with a potentially harmful effect) that is either airborne, or deposited in (or on the surface of) structures, objects, soil, water, or ...
containment structure
Energy; Nuclear energy
A gas-tight shell or other enclosure around a nuclear reactor to confine fission products that otherwise might be released to the atmosphere in the event of an accident. Such enclosures are usually ...
construction recapture
Energy; Nuclear energy
The maximum number of years that could be added to a facility’s license expiration date to recapture the period between the date the NRC issued the facility’s construction permit to the date it ...
condenser
Energy; Nuclear energy
A large heat exchanger designed to cool exhaust steam from a turbine below the boiling point so that it can be returned to the heat source as water. In a pressurized-water reactor, the water is ...