What is Pressurized water reactor?
[[File:PressurizedWaterReactor.gif|thumb|Diagram of a Pressurized water reactor]] '''Pressurized water reactors''' ('''PWRs''') form the large majority of the world's [[nuclear power plant]]s. In a PWR, the coolant ([[water]]) is pumped under high pressure to the reactor core where it is heated by the energy released by the [[Nuclear fission|fission]] of atoms. Pressure in the primary coolant loop prevents the water from boiling within the reactor. The heated water then flows to a [[Water-tube boiler|steam generator]] where it transfers heat to a secondary system where steam is generated. The steam flows to a [[steam turbine]] which spins an [[electric generator]]. The used steam is condensed and returned to the steam generator for re-use. PWRs use ordinary [[water]] as both coolant and [[neutron moderator]]. ==Related pages== * [[Pressurized heavy-water reactor]] {{physics-stub}} [[Category:Nuclear energy]]