Some Characteristics of Different Nuclear Reactor Designs
| Item | Nuclear Reactor | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Military | Research | |
| Fuel loading | 1,000s of kg | 10s to 100s of kg | 10s of kg |
| Fuel enrichment | Natural uranium to 8% | 30 to >90% | 20 to >90% |
| Power production | A few 100 to >1,000 MW | 10s to a few 100 MW | <1 to 100 MW |
| Reactor coolant | Water, pressurized or boiling; liquid metal; gas; liquid salt | Water, pressurized | Water, unpressurized |
Source: Management of Persons Contaminated with Radionuclides: Scientific and Technical Bases (NCRP Report No. 161, Volume II, Table 17.2, page 402), Bethesda, MD, 2010; Reprinted with permission of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, (http://NCRPpublications.org)
Types of reactors (NRC)
- The NRC regulates commercial nuclear power plants that generate electricity.
- There are several types of nuclear power reactors.
- Of these, only the Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) and Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) are in commercial operation in the United States.
- See list below to view a description and diagram of each.