pressurized water reactor

A pressurized water reactor (PWR) is a type of light-water nuclear reactor. PWRs are the most common type of nuclear power reactor, representing almost 70% of the world's commercial reactor fleet. Some countries, such as Canada and (historically) the United Kingdom, have relied heavily on other designs (CANDU pressurized heavy‑water reactors and gas‑cooled reactors respectively) while others, including Japan and India, operate a mix of PWRs and other reactor types (notably boiling water reactors and pressurized heavy‑water reactors).

In a PWR, water is used both as a neutron moderator and as coolant fluid for the reactor core. In the core, water is heated by the energy released by the fission of atoms contained in the fuel. Using high pressure (around 155 bar: 2250 psi) ensures that the water stays in a liquid state. The heated water then flows to a steam generator, where it transfers its thermal energy to the water of a secondary cycle kept at a lower pressure which allows it to vaporize. The resulting steam then drives steam turbines linked to an electric generator. A boiling water reactor (BWR) by contrast does not maintain such high pressure in the primary cycle and the water vaporizes inside the reactor pressure vessel before being sent to the turbine. Most PWR designs make use of two to six steam generators, each associated with a coolant loop.