Nuclear energy

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

Steam generator

Energy; Nuclear energy

The heat exchanger used in some reactor designs to transfer heat from the primary (reactor coolant) system to the secondary (steam) system. This design permits heat exchange with little or no ...

Standard review plan

Energy; Nuclear energy

A document that provides guidance to the staff for reviewing an application to obtain an NRC licence to construct or operate a nuclear facility or to possess or use nuclear materials.

Standard technical specifications

Energy; Nuclear energy

NRC staff guidance on model technical specifications for an operating license. (See also Technical Specifications. )

Startup

Energy; Nuclear energy

An increase in the rate of fission (and heat production) in a reactor (usually by the removal of control rods from the core).

Spent nuclear fuel

Energy; Nuclear energy

Nuclear reactor fuel that has been used to the extent that it can no longer effectively sustain a chain reaction.

Special nuclear material

Energy; Nuclear energy

Plutonium, uranium-233, or uranium enriched in the isotopes uranium-233 or uranium-235.

Thermonuclear

Energy; Nuclear energy

An adjective referring to the process in which very high temperatures are used to bring about the fusion of light nuclei, such as those of the hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium, with the ...