Nuclear Reactor Designs

Ever wonder how a nuclear reactor works? Here are some graphics that will quickly bring you up to speed on how electric generation works using nuclear fuel.

Animated nuclear energy generation graphic.

Animated nuclear energy generation diagram

animation of nuclear energy generation

Another view of a boiling water nuclear plant with flow into the cooling tower.


nuclear power plant flowchart view Large Size

Multiple reactor design types have evolved over the years. Generally the concept is the same with tweaks in energy exchange or cooling approaches.

nuclear reactor engine design types

Nuclear reactor designs are defined in generations with some engine types confined to a particular generation. The 3rd generation(s) have seen a significant leap in nuclear energy safety.

nuclear reactor design generations

Beyond the basic designs on how nuclear reactors work, new thinking is emerging on how to use nuclear power with expanded thinking around nuclear complex design concepts.