Nuclear energy

The "fuel" nuclear.The nuclei of atoms, protons and neutrons formed, constitute the bulk of the mass of the ground material, as well as the known portion of the universe. Unwrap the nucleons that form the core requires providing energy as it is necessary to overcome the attractive forces nuclear. 


 NUCLEAR ENERGY 

The nuclear fission.The potential barrier which must penetrate a core for its fission occurs (ie, so that the core is cleaved at one or more parts) is usually a small fraction of the energy released by the fission same. The magnitude of the barrier depends on the initial state of the core, and even lower when the nucleus is in an excited state.

 
Nuclear fusion. On Earth it only has proven its viability as fusion bombs. They achieve the require  pressure and temperature through previous fission reactions. A production of energy, in a controlled manner by nuclear fusion reactions are devoted enormous economic effort, human, technical, etc., But currently has not been met.

 

Reactors  pressurized heavy water. These reactors use heavy water as coolant and moderator. The fuel is natural uranium. The design of the pressure tube allows recharging without reactor shutdown.Pressure is regulated by a pressurizer. The secondary circuit uses light water.


  
 

Fast neutron reactors.Such reactors are different from all others, so-called slow neutrons, because using no moderator to slow the neutrons released during the fission process. For the nuclear reaction is maintained without moderator is necessary that the reactor core has an amount of fuel (by volume) was higher than in slow neutron reactors, i.e. in them the fissile material is very concentrated. As the thermal power is also very high, it becomes necessary to extract the energy produced in the core.

Here is a map of nuclear energy in the world: