A typical nuclear reactor generates 1000MW (1000MJ/s) of electrical energy. In d
ID: 1768460 • Letter: A
Question
A typical nuclear reactor generates 1000MW (1000MJ/s) of electrical energy. In doing so, it produces 2000MW of "waste heat" that must be removed from the reactor to keep it from melting down. Many reactors are sited next to large bodies of water so that they can use the water for cooling. Consider a reactor where the intake water is at 18degrees C. State regulations limit the temperature of the output water to 30degreesC so as not to harm aquatic organisms.How many liters of cooling water have to be pumped through the reactor each minute?
Explanation / Answer
the amount of energy that can be input into each kg of water is
Q = m c delta T
where Q is the heat transferred to the water
m = mass of water
c=specific heat =4186J/kg/C
delta T = 12 C (30-18)
the amount of waste energy that must be removed is 2x10^9 Joule/s, or 120x10^9 J/min
the amount of heat used in heating 1 kg of water from 18 to 30 C is
Q=1kg x 4186J/kg/C x 12C = 5.02x10^4J/kg
therefore you need
120x10^9J/min/5.02x10^4J/kg = 2.39x10^6
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