1. General operation of a nuclear unit

This section briefly describes the general operation of a nuclear unit; a fuller, more detailed explanation can be found in Part 1 [BN 3 295] .

In the boiler, the primary water heats up as it passes through the core (site of the nuclear reaction), then flows into the steam generators (SGs) where it transfers its heat to the water in the secondary circuit, which vaporizes, before returning to the core. The steam thus produced turns the turbine that drives the alternator, which generates electricity. Returned to the liquid state in the condenser by the so-called "cooling"...