PWR versus BWR

Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

source: U.S NCR (view animated pressurized water reactor)

Pressurized Water Reactors are known as "PWRs." They keep water under pressure so that it heats but does not boil. Water from the reactor and the water that is turned into steam are in separate pipes and never mix.

Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

source: U.S NCR (view animated boiling water reactor)

Boiling Water Reactors are known as "BWRs." In BWRs, the water heated by fission actually boils and turns into steam to turn the generator. In both types of plants, the steam is turned back into water and can be used again in the process.

Both reactor is the extensively used currently in the nuclear industry. However PWR was widely apply in nuclear power plant. Even new power plant preferred used PWR as recorded in IAEA. Below is the latest status release by IAEA and higlighted date on 2011.

• 433 nuclear power reactors in operation with a total net installed capacity of 366.610 GW(e)
• 5 nuclear power reactors in long term shutdown
• 65 nuclear power reactors under construction

2011 Highlights:

• New connection to the grid

1. Kaiga 4 (202 MW(e), PHWR, India) - first grid connection on 19 January
2. Chasnupp 2 (300 MW(e), PWR, Pakistan) - first grid connection on 14 March
3. Lingao 4 (1000 MW(e), PWR, China) - first grid connection on 3 May
4. CEFR - China Experimental Fast Reactor (20 MW(e), FBR, China) - first grid connection on 21 July
5. Bushehr 1 (915 MW(e), PWR-VVER, Iran) - first grid connection on 3 September

• Final shutdowns:

1. Fukushima-Daiichi 1,2,3,4 (439/760/760/760 MW(e), BWR, Japan) were declared as permanently shutdown on 20 May
2. Oldbury A2 (217 MW(e), GCR-Magnox, UK) was permanently shut down on 30 June
3. Biblis A and B (1167/1240 MW(e), PWR, Germany) were declared as permanently shutdown on 6 August
4. Brunsbuettel (771 MW(e), BWR, Germany) was declared as permanently shutdown on 6 August
5. Isar 1 (878 MW(e), BWR, Germany) was declared as permanently shutdown on 6 August
6. Kruemmel (1346 MW(e), BWR, Germany) was declared as permanently shutdown on 6 August
7. Neckarwestheim 1 (785 MW(e), PWR, Germany) was declared as permanently shutdown on 6 August
8. Philippsburg 1 (890 MW(e), BWR, Germany) was declared as permanently shutdown on 6 August
9. Unterweser (1345 MW(e), PWR, Germany) was declared as permanently shutdown on 6 August

• Construction initiation:

1. Chasnupp 3 (315 MW(e), PWR, Pakistan) - construction officially started on 28 May
2. Rajasthan 7 (630 MW(e), PHWR, India) - construction officially started on 18 July