Nuclear Reactor Types

Description: This quiz covers various types of nuclear reactors, their designs, and their applications.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: nuclear engineering nuclear reactors nuclear power
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Which type of nuclear reactor uses heavy water as a moderator and coolant?

  1. Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

  2. Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

  3. Heavy Water Reactor (HWR)

  4. Gas-Cooled Reactor (GCR)


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Heavy Water Reactors (HWRs) utilize heavy water (deuterium oxide) as both a moderator and a coolant. This allows them to operate with natural uranium fuel, making them more efficient and cost-effective.

What is the primary purpose of a control rod in a nuclear reactor?

  1. To regulate the flow of coolant

  2. To generate electricity

  3. To control the rate of nuclear reactions

  4. To remove radioactive waste


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Control rods are inserted or withdrawn from the reactor core to control the rate of nuclear reactions by absorbing neutrons. This allows operators to adjust the power output of the reactor.

Which type of nuclear reactor uses graphite as a moderator?

  1. Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

  2. Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

  3. Gas-Cooled Reactor (GCR)

  4. Heavy Water Reactor (HWR)


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Gas-Cooled Reactors (GCRs) employ graphite as a moderator to slow down neutrons and sustain the nuclear chain reaction.

What is the primary coolant used in a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)?

  1. Heavy water

  2. Sodium

  3. Carbon dioxide

  4. Ordinary water


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) utilize ordinary water (light water) as the primary coolant, which is pressurized to prevent boiling and maintain high efficiency.

Which type of nuclear reactor is commonly used to generate electricity in commercial power plants?

  1. Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR)

  2. CANDU Reactor

  3. Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

  4. Molten Salt Reactor (MSR)


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) are widely used in commercial power plants for electricity generation. They directly convert the heat from nuclear reactions into steam, which drives a turbine to generate electricity.

What is the primary function of a moderator in a nuclear reactor?

  1. To absorb neutrons and control the rate of nuclear reactions

  2. To generate electricity

  3. To remove radioactive waste

  4. To slow down neutrons and sustain the nuclear chain reaction


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The primary function of a moderator in a nuclear reactor is to slow down neutrons produced by nuclear reactions, allowing them to be more easily captured by fissile atoms and sustain the nuclear chain reaction.

Which type of nuclear reactor uses liquid sodium as a coolant?

  1. Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

  2. Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

  3. Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR)

  4. Heavy Water Reactor (HWR)


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors (SFRs) employ liquid sodium as a coolant due to its excellent heat transfer properties and ability to operate at high temperatures.

What is the primary fuel used in most commercial nuclear reactors?

  1. Plutonium

  2. Thorium

  3. Uranium-235

  4. Deuterium


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Most commercial nuclear reactors primarily use Uranium-235 as fuel due to its high fissile properties and availability.

Which type of nuclear reactor is designed to produce more fissile material than it consumes?

  1. Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

  2. Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

  3. Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR)

  4. Heavy Water Reactor (HWR)


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) are designed to produce more fissile material (such as Plutonium-239) than they consume, potentially extending the availability of nuclear fuel.

What is the purpose of a containment structure in a nuclear power plant?

  1. To generate electricity

  2. To remove radioactive waste

  3. To control the rate of nuclear reactions

  4. To prevent the release of radioactive materials into the environment


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The primary purpose of a containment structure in a nuclear power plant is to prevent the release of radioactive materials into the environment in the event of an accident.

Which type of nuclear reactor uses heavy water as a moderator and ordinary water as a coolant?

  1. Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)

  2. Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

  3. Gas-Cooled Reactor (GCR)

  4. Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR)


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) utilize heavy water as a moderator and ordinary water as a coolant, providing efficient neutron moderation and heat transfer.

What is the primary purpose of a nuclear reactor's control system?

  1. To generate electricity

  2. To remove radioactive waste

  3. To control the flow of coolant

  4. To maintain a stable and safe operating condition


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The primary purpose of a nuclear reactor's control system is to maintain a stable and safe operating condition by regulating various parameters such as power output, temperature, and neutron flux.

Which type of nuclear reactor is commonly used for research and isotope production?

  1. Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

  2. Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

  3. Research Reactor

  4. Heavy Water Reactor (HWR)


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Research Reactors are specifically designed for research purposes, including isotope production, material testing, and neutron scattering experiments.

What is the primary fuel used in CANDU reactors?

  1. Plutonium

  2. Thorium

  3. Uranium-235

  4. Deuterium


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

CANDU reactors primarily use Uranium-235 as fuel, which is blended with natural uranium to form fuel bundles.

Which type of nuclear reactor uses molten salt as a coolant and fuel carrier?

  1. Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

  2. Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

  3. Molten Salt Reactor (MSR)

  4. Heavy Water Reactor (HWR)


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) employ molten salt as a coolant and fuel carrier, offering potential advantages in terms of safety, efficiency, and waste management.

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