Research on the comparisons between pressurized water reactor and boiling water reactor

• Main Author: Tham, Yvonne Yong En
• Other Authors: Ponnuthurai Nagaratnam Suganthan
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Nuclear engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/63605
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Over the decades, fossil fuels have been the dominating energy source. However, burning of fossil fuels emits harmful pollutants which contribute to global warming and health concerns. With the increase in environment awareness, nuclear energy has become a more attractive energy source. Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) and Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) are the two common types of light water reactors that are currently used today. This report covers the fundamentals of nuclear physics such as how a fission chain reaction occurs, and the nuclear fuel fabrication process on how a fuel pellet is made. In this report, in-depth investigation on the design of the main components in both light water reactors to understand the way they work. Safety features of both light water reactors were also investigated. Lastly, a comparison between the two light water reactors will be discussed.