What is the basic process for producing electricity at a nuclear facility?

The process of generating electricity at a nuclear facility primarily involves using boiling water reactors (BWR) or pressurized water reactors (PWR) to heat water. In this process, nuclear fission occurs within the reactor core, where uranium fuel rods undergo a reaction that releases a significant amount of heat. This heat is then utilized to convert water into steam.

In boiling water reactors, the water used as coolant and moderator boils directly in the reactor and the resulting steam drives turbines connected to generators. Pressurized water reactors, on the other hand, keep water under high pressure so that it does not boil in the reactor. The heated water is circulated to a heat exchanger, where it transfers its heat to a secondary water circuit, producing steam that drives the turbines.

This method effectively utilizes the heat generated from nuclear reactions to produce the steam necessary for power generation, making it a fundamental principle of nuclear energy production.