kärnvärme

Kärnvärme, Swedish for nuclear heat, refers to the thermal energy produced as a byproduct of nuclear fission in a nuclear reactor. This heat is the primary mechanism by which nuclear power plants generate electricity. During the nuclear fission process, the nuclei of heavy atoms, typically uranium, split into lighter nuclei, releasing a significant amount of energy in the form of heat.

This heat is then used to boil water, creating steam. The high-pressure steam drives turbines, which are connected to generators that produce electricity. In a typical nuclear power plant, a substantial portion of the heat generated by the reactor core is converted into usable electrical power.

Beyond electricity generation, the heat produced in nuclear reactors can also be utilized for other purposes, a concept known as district heating or combined heat and power (CHP). In these applications, hot water or steam from the reactor is directly supplied to nearby communities or industrial facilities for heating buildings or for industrial processes. This can increase the overall energy efficiency of the nuclear power plant by utilizing heat that would otherwise be released into the environment. The management and utilization of this heat are critical aspects of nuclear power plant operation.