A typical nuclear reactor generates 1000 M W ( 1000 M J / s ) of electrical ener

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 18?C. State regulations limit the temperature of the output water to 30?C so as not to harm aquatic organisms.

How many liters of cooling water have to be pumped through the reactor each minute?

Explanation / Answer

Heat released/min=2000*10^6*60J=1.2*10^11J

Let m kg(litres too since 1kg=1litre for water) me pumped/min.

m*4186*(30-18)=1.2*10^11J

m=2.39*10^6litres/min

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