pressurized-water reactor![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The most common type of reactor in the world; water from the coolant is kept under heavy pressure to prevent it from vaporizing.
pump ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Apparatus that circulates the coolant fluid between the reactor and the steam generator.
reactor core ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Center section of the nuclear reactor where fission reactions take place.
feedwater ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Piping carries water from the condenser to the steam generator, where it is turned into steam.
steam outlet ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Steam from the generator is carried to the turbine and generator to produce electricity.
control rod ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Tube that contains a neutron-absorbing material (boron, cadmium) that is introduced into the reactor core to control its power.
steam generator ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Device that uses heat from the coolant to turn water into steam to activate the turbine.
pressurizer ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Device that keeps the coolant water at a preset temperature to prevent it from boiling.
concrete shielding ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Concrete structure that holds back radioactive products in the event of an accident.
moderator: natural water ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Natural water: water found in its natural state.
coolant: pressurized water ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Pressurized water: natural water kept under a preset pressure to prevent it from boiling.
fuel: enriched uranium ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Enriched uranium: uranium produced by treating natural uranium to increase the quantity of fissionable isotopes (uranium-253) contained in it.