A nuclear power plant is a set of necessary systems, devices, equipment and structures intended for electricity generation.
Three mutual energy conversions take place at NPP: atomic energy is converted into thermal energy, thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy, and mechanical energy is converted into electric energy. The reactor is the backbone of the plant. It represents a physical volume which houses nuclear fuel and where controlled chain reaction occurs. Uranium-235 depletes into slow (thermal) neutrons. As a result, much heat is released. Heat is evacuated from the reactor core using the coolant, which can be liquid (eg. water) or gaseous and passes through it. This thermal energy is used to produce water steam in the steam generator. Mechanical energy of steam is sent to the turbine generator where it is converted into electric energy.
