tryckkärlreaktorer

A tryckkärlreaktor, or pressure vessel reactor, is a type of nuclear reactor where the reactor core and the primary coolant are contained within a single, large, robust steel vessel. This vessel is designed to withstand high pressures and temperatures generated during nuclear fission. The primary coolant, which is typically water, circulates through the reactor core to remove heat and then transfers it to a secondary loop to generate steam for electricity production.

The main advantage of the pressure vessel design is its inherent containment. The thick steel walls of the vessel act as a primary barrier against the release of radioactive materials. This design is common in many early reactor designs and remains prevalent in several modern light-water reactors. The pressure vessel is a critical safety component and is subject to rigorous design, manufacturing, and inspection standards.

Inside the pressure vessel, the reactor core consists of fuel assemblies containing uranium fuel. Control rods, made of neutron-absorbing materials, are used to regulate the nuclear reaction rate. The coolant flows through the core, absorbing the heat produced by fission. This heated coolant is then pumped out of the vessel to a steam generator, where it transfers its heat to the water in the secondary loop, producing steam. This steam drives turbines connected to generators, producing electricity. The spent coolant then returns to the pressure vessel to be reheated. Examples of reactors that utilize a pressure vessel design include the Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) and Boiling Water Reactor (BWR).