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.

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Nuclear energy

Coolant

Energy; Nuclear energy

A substance circulated through a nuclear reactor to remove or transfer heat. The most commonly used coolant in the United States is water. Other coolants include heavy water, air, carbon dioxide, ...

Controlled area

Energy; Nuclear energy

At a nuclear facility, an area outside a restricted area but within the site boundary, to which the licensee can limit access for any reason.

Control room

Energy; Nuclear energy

The area in a nuclear power plant from which most of the plant's power production and emergency safety equipment can be operated by remote control.

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 ...

Crud

Energy; Nuclear energy

A colloquial term for corrosion and wear products (rust particles, etc. ) that become radioactive (i.e., activated) when exposed to radiation. Because the activated deposits were first discovered at ...

Criticality

Energy; Nuclear energy

The normal operating condition of a reactor, in which nuclear fuel sustains a fission chain reaction. A reactor achieves criticality (and is said to be critical) when each fission event releases a ...