ABSTRACT
The ability of a reactor to sustain a nuclear chain reaction over a long period of time is dependent upon the type of coolant, the composition of the core, and the enrichment of the fuel that is used. The core can be thought of as a nuclear furnace that generates the heat that is supplied to the nuclear steam supply system. Aside from the nuclear reactor and the containment building, most nuclear reactors are remarkably similar in design to large coal-fired power plants. The design of a nuclear power plant is a monumental task that involves implementing literally hundreds or even thousands of individual design trade-offs. “A rod, plate, or tube containing a material such as hafnium, and boron, used to control the power level of a nuclear reactor. An electrical generator can be found at the heart of every nuclear power plant in the world.
