Month: December 2022

The nuclear reactors can be classified on the basis of neutron energy, fuel used, moderator used, and coolant used. On the basis of neutron energy, we can classify the nuclear reactor as fast reactor and thermal reactor; on the basis of fuel used, we can classify them as natural fuel reactor and enriched uranium reactor;… Continue reading Different Types of Nuclear Reactors

Fuel: 92U235, 94Pu239, 92U233 are nuclear fuels used in nuclear reactor to release the heat energy. In uranium ore, 92U235 is available only up to 0.7% and the remaining is 92U238. The other two fuels 94Pu239 and 92U233 are formed in the reactor during the fission process of 92U235. 90Th232 is formed due to absorption of neutron by 92U235 without fission. In homogeneous reactors, the fuel (uranium) and moderator (carbon) are… Continue reading Components of Nuclear Reactor

In nuclear power plant, nuclear energy released from radioactive materials due to fission reaction is utilized to heat the water and convert it into superheated steam. Rest of the electricity generation process is similar to steam power plant as discussed in Section 1.3. The main problem is careful handling of radioactive fuel used in nuclear reactor.… Continue reading Nuclear Power Plant

The principle of electricity generation in the case of hydroelectric power plant is the same as in thermal power plant; only difference is that the shaft power to the turbine is provided by pressure and kinetic energy of water in the case of hydroelectric power plant and in thermal power plant the shaft power to… Continue reading Hydroelectric Power Plant

Thermal power plant may be coal based or gas based. In coal-based power plant, coal is used as burning fuel and the heat energy is transferred to water to convert it into superheated steam. The heat energy of the steam is converted into shaft power through expansion of steam in steam turbine. The shaft of… Continue reading Thermal Power Plant

Power plant engineering is a branch of engineering which deals with conversion of various forms of energy into electrical energy. In this text we will discuss about thermal power, hydroelectric power, nuclear power, and non-conventional sources of energy. In thermal power plant, coal, diesel, petrol, natural gas, and kerosene oil are used as fuel and… Continue reading POWER PLANT ENGINEERING

Prime mover is a primary source of power. All the machinery that provides power for performing various kinds of mechanical work is prime movers. It is a group of machines that transform various forms of energy such as thermal, electrical or pressure into mechanical energy. Engines, turbines, pumps, actuators, etc. are the examples of prime… Continue reading PRIME MOVERS

There are different forms of energy; all the energy cannot be used as a work. The convertibility of energy into work depends on its availability. In this chapter, we will discuss about the conversion of energy from one form to another and various sources of energy. The principles of operations of various types of power… Continue reading INTRODUCTION