heavy-water reactor

The advantage of this type of reactor is that it does not require fuel enrichment; it is used mainly in Canada, Argentina and India.

concrete shielding

Concrete structure that holds back radioactive products in the event of an accident.

pressurized heavy water

Heavy water that is heated in the reactor core is kept under pressure to prevent it from boiling.

steam generator

Device that uses heat from the coolant to turn water into steam to activate the turbine.

pressurizer

Device that keeps the coolant water at a preset temperature to prevent it from boiling.

steam outlet

Steam from the generator is carried to the turbine and generator to produce electricity.

feedwater

Piping carries water from the condenser to the steam generator, where it is turned into steam.

fueling machine

Remote-controlled device that inserts new fuel into the reactor.

control rod

Tube that contains a neutron-absorbing material (boron, cadmium) that is introduced into the reactor core to control its power.

pump

Apparatus that circulates the coolant fluid between the reactor and the steam generator.

safety tank

Tank where cold heavy water from the moderator flows to stop fission reactions in the event of an emergency.

cold heavy water

A pumping system ensures that heavy water around the moderator tank circulates, cools and is purified.

fuel

Matter that is placed in the reactor core; it contains heavy atoms (uranium, plutonium) from which power is extracted by fission.

moderator tank

Steel tank that contains cold heavy water from the moderator.

moderator: heavy water

Heavy water: water consisting of heavy hydrogen (deuterium) and oxygen; it can slow down neutrons.

coolant: pressurized heavy water

Heavy water is kept at a set pressure to prevent it from boiling.

fuel: natural uranium

Natural uranium: fuel extracted from mines; it consists of a mixture of three uranium isotopes (uranium-234, -235 and -238).