There are several different types of reactors as indicated in the following table.
Nuclear power plants in commercial operation | ||||||
Reactor type | Main Countries | Number | GWe | Fuel | Coolant | Moderator |
Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) |
US, France, Japan, Russia |
252 |
235 |
enriched UO2 |
water |
water |
Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) |
US, Japan, Sweden |
93 |
83 |
enriched UO2 |
water |
water |
Gas-cooled Reactor (Magnox & AGR) |
UK |
34 |
13 |
natural U
(metal), |
CO2 |
graphite |
Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor “CANDU” (PHWR) |
Canada |
33 |
18 |
natural UO2 |
heavy water |
heavy water |
Light Water Graphite Reactor (RBMK) |
Russia |
14 |
14 |
enriched UO2 |
water |
graphite |
Fast Neutron Reactor (FBR) |
Japan, France, Russia |
4 |
1.3 |
PuO2 and UO2 |
liquid sodium |
none |
other |
Russia, Japan |
5 |
0.2 |
|||
TOTAL |
435 |
364 |
GWe = capacity in
thousands of megawatts.
Source: Nuclear Engineering International handbook 2000 updated,
including Pickering A in Canada.