Molybdenum is typically not produced within a nuclear power station. It is a naturally occurring element that may be used in some reactor components, such as in certain types of steel alloys, but it is not produced on-site.
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Electricity can be produced through fossil fuel combustion, nuclear reactions, and renewable sources such as wind and solar power.
Nuclear energy is produced daily by nuclear power plants through the process of nuclear fission, where the nucleus of an atom is split to release energy. This energy is then used to generate electricity by heating water to produce steam, which drives turbines connected to generators.
The two fuels used in nuclear power stations are uranium-235 and plutonium-239. These fuels undergo nuclear fission reactions to generate heat, which is used to produce steam and ultimately generate electricity.
Plutonium is primarily produced in nuclear reactors as a byproduct of uranium fission. It can also be produced artificially in special reactors or particle accelerators for various purposes, including nuclear weapons and power generation.
To produce the same amount of energy as one kilogram of uranium fuel pellets in a nuclear power station, approximately 3,500 kilograms of coal must be burnt. This is due to the higher energy density of uranium compared to coal.