Nuclear Power station
A generating station in which nuclear energy is converted into electrical energy is known as nuclear power station.
In nuclear power station, heavy elements such as uranium U235 or thorium th232 are subject to nuclear fission in a special apparatus known as a reactor.The heat energy thus released is utilised in raising steam at high temperature and pressure.The steam runs the steam turbine which converts steam energy into mechanical energy.The turbine drives the alternator which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
The most important feature of a nuclear power station is that huge amount of electrical energy can be produced from a relatively small amount of nuclear fuel as compared to other conventional type of power station.It has been found that complete fission of 1kg of uranium can produce as much energy as can be produced by the burning of 4500 tons of high grade coal.
Although the recovery of principal is difficult and expensive,yet the total energy content of the estimated world reserves of these fuels are considerably higher than those of conventional fuel , coal,oil and gas.
At present, energy crisis is gripping us and, therefore, nuclear energy can be successfully employed for producing low cost electrical energy on a large scale to meet the growing commercial and industrial demand.
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