Generating Electricity: Pressurized Water Reactor

One type of nuclear power plant is the pressurized water reactor. In the containment structure, water under pressure to prevent boiling flows through the reactor where the nuclear chain reaction in the fuel rods heats it to approximately 600 degrees Fahrenheit. This hot water is pumped to the steam generator, or heat exchanger, where the cooler water flowing in from the condenser becomes steam. The steam drives a conventional steam turbine. The condenser converts used steam back into water after it passes over the blades of the turbine, and the water recirculates on the outside of the steam generator tubes. The steam turbine turns the electric generator to produce electricity, which reaches the customer through substations and power lines.