Nuclear
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Nuclear is a method of creating thermal energy, which can then be converted into rotational energy using steam, and thereby electrical or mechanical energy.
Stormworks nuclear run of the idea of Nuclear Fission, not fusion. Nuclear fusion is not possible.
In a reactor, fuel rods produce heat, and control rods control that heat. If a fuel rod is to exceed *1500° C* it will fail and leak radiation.
The temperature of fuel rods depends on cooling and control rod position. Inserting cool water into a sealed reactor vessel for example, will reduce fuel temperature.
- Liquids distribute heat evenly across fuel rods. Fuel rods submersed in liquid will be within *~5° C* of each other.
- Gases do not distribute heat well, which can cause uneven temperatures. Fuel rods submersed in gas can have significantly different temperatures.
- Removing control rods increases fuel rod temperature and reactor power.
- Inserting control rods decreases temperature and reduces power.
*Basic Reactor Concept*
A very simple way to think about a Stormworks nuclear reactor is:
- Fuel rods generate heat through fission.
- Control rods regulate how fast the fission happens.
- A coolant carries heat away from the fuel rods into a boiler or similar.
- The heat is used to produce steam or drive turbines/pistons.
- Turbines/pistons convert the energy into electricity or mechanical power.
- Fuel and control assemblies can be aligned using the nuts on the reactor components.