Fiendish Nuclear Quiz

Q1. What is used to heat up a cold pressurised water reactor when it is first started?

Unlucky! The answer was Friction

The fission process in a PWR can only be started when the reactor is at its operating temperature of around 300 degrees celsius. To do so, the powerful circulating pumps of the primary circuit are first used to run water at high speed around the piping, heating it up with friction. Think about rubbing your hands!