The flowchart illustrates how steam is produced in a gas cooled nuclear reactor.
Overall, the nuclear reactor consists of two main components, namely the reactor and the heat exchanger. Gas is heated in the reactor before being transferred to the heat exchanger.
On the left hand of the diagram, the process takes place inside the reactor. Initially, uranium fuel elements are loaded into the reactor through charger tubes. According to the diagram, the reactor also contains boron control rods, graphite moderators and a pressure vessel, which is protected by concrete radiation shielding. The fuel rods generate heat, while the graphite moderators help control the nuclear reaction. Consequently, the gas inside the reactor becomes heated then transferred through a hot gas duct to the heat exchanger.
Following this, the hot gas transfers heat to the water circulating inside the heat exchanger. The water is then converted into steam, which is directed to the turbo-alternator. Finally, after giving off heat, the gas cools down and it is returned to the reactor through a cool gas duct by a gas blower, thereby forming a closed cycle.
