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The most common type of reactor in the world; water from the coolant is kept under heavy pressure to prevent it from vaporizing.

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Apparatus that circulates the coolant fluid between the reactor and the steam generator.

Center section of the nuclear reactor where fission reactions take place.

Piping carries water from the condenser to the steam generator, where it is turned into steam.

Steam from the generator is carried to the turbine and generator to produce electricity.

Tube that contains a neutron-absorbing material (boron, cadmium) that is introduced into the reactor core to control its power.

Device that uses heat from the coolant to turn water into steam to activate the turbine.

Device that keeps the coolant water at a preset temperature to prevent it from boiling.

Concrete structure that holds back radioactive products in the event of an accident.

Natural water: water found in its natural state.

Pressurized water: natural water kept under a preset pressure to prevent it from boiling.

Enriched uranium: uranium produced by treating natural uranium to increase the quantity of fissionable isotopes (uranium-253) contained in it.