lettvannskjølte

Lettvannskjølte refers to a type of nuclear reactor that uses ordinary water, also known as light water, as both a coolant and a neutron moderator. This design is the most common type of nuclear reactor worldwide. In a lettvannskjølt reactor, water circulates through the reactor core, absorbing the heat generated by nuclear fission. This heated water then typically flows to a steam generator, where it transfers its heat to a secondary loop of water, producing steam. This steam drives a turbine, which in turn powers a generator to produce electricity. The light water serves a dual purpose: it efficiently removes heat from the fuel rods, preventing them from overheating, and it slows down the fast neutrons released during fission, making them more likely to cause further fission events. This moderating property is crucial for sustaining the nuclear chain reaction. The two main subtypes of lettvannskjølte reactors are pressurized water reactors (PWRs) and boiling water reactors (BWRs). PWRs keep the primary coolant water under high pressure to prevent it from boiling within the reactor core, while BWRs allow the water to boil directly in the core, producing steam that is then sent to the turbine.