How is a pressure water reactor different from a boiling water reactor?
Daniel Rodriguez
Published Feb 28, 2026
How is a pressure water reactor different from a boiling water reactor?
The main difference between a BWR and PWR is that in a BWR, the reactor core heats water, which turns to steam and then drives a steam turbine. In a PWR, the reactor core heats water, which does not boil. This hot water then exchanges heat with a lower pressure water system, which turns to steam and drives the turbine.
How does it differ from pressurized water reactor?
Unlike the PWR, inside the boiling water reactor, the primary water system absorbs enough heat from the fission process to boil its water. In contrast to the PWR, the BWR uses only two separate water systems as it has no separate steam generator system.
Why is pressurized water reactor safer than boiling water reactor?
[1] One major advantage of this reactor is that it is easy to operate because less power is being produced as the heat increases. [3] In addition, the core of the reactor contains less fissile material, decreasing the chances of additional fission events to occur, making the reactor safer and more controllable.
How does a Pressurised water reactor work?
A pressurized water reactor (PWR) is a type of light-water nuclear reactor. The heated, high pressure water then flows to a steam generator, where it transfers its thermal energy to lower pressure water of a secondary system where steam is generated. The steam then drives turbines, which spin an electric generator.
How many types of boiling water reactor cycles are there?
See the section below to view a basic operating cycle of a boiling water power plant. Figure 2….Boiling water reactor.
| Type | Number of Reactors |
|---|---|
| PWR | 297 |
| BWR (Boiling Light-Water Cooled and Moderated Reactor) | 75 |
| PHWR (Pressurized Heavy-Water Moderated and Cooled Reactor) | 49 |
What are the advantages of boiling water reactor?
BWRs offer the advantages of simpler plant layout with no need for steam generators as in PWRs (although earlier designs did have them), lower operating pressure, and a somewhat more flexible load following capability.
How efficient is a boiling water reactor?
With maximum operating temperatures of around 285oC, the Carnot efficiency (maximum efficiency) of boiling water reactors in the production of power is 46%. However, the realistic efficiency of these reactors in power production is around 33-34%.
How does a boiling water reactor work?
Boiling Water Reactors Water is pumped up through the reactor core and heated by fission. Pipes then feed the steam directly to a turbine to produce electricity. The unused steam is then condensed back to water and reused in the heating process.
How many Pressurised water reactors are there?
It is one of three types of light water reactors, with the others being the boiling water reactor and the supercritical water cooled reactor….Pressurized water reactor.
| Type | Number of Reactors |
|---|---|
| PWR | 297 |
| BWR (Boiling Light-Water Cooled and Moderated Reactor) | 75 |
| PHWR (Pressurized Heavy-Water Moderated and Cooled Reactor) | 49 |
What is the operating pressure of a boiling water reactor?
Boiling water reactors operate at pressure and temperature conditions (about 1040 psia and 550°F) that allow bulk boiling inside the core. As the steam escapes through the upper plenum it passes through baffles to remove moisture prior to exiting to the steam turbine.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of boiling water?
RO Purified Water:
- Boiled can remove only bacteria present in water but cannot remove toxic wastes and chemicals.
- Fuel is used for boiled water.
- Water can concentrate some of the toxic wastes which are not vaporized.
- The quantity of water will be reduced while boiling because some water may be lost as vapour.
How efficient are Pressurised water reactors?
A typical PWR has a generating capacity of 1000 MW. The efficiency is around 33%. The PWR is the most popular reactor in use globally, with over 250 in operation. The most important commercial PWR was developed by Westinghouse for ship propulsion and later converted to power generation.
