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Catawba Nuclear Power Plant, South Carolina |
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Update: October 3, 2008
Next Update: October 2009 Catawba Nuclear Power Plant Net Generation and Capacity, 2007
Description: South Carolina is the third largest generator of nuclear electricity. The pair of light water reactors at the Catawba plant are the largest reactors in the State although, with three reactors compared to Catawba’s two, the Oconee plant has the most nuclear capacity in South Carolina.1 Catawba is located on a 391-acre peninsula. Catawba, Unit 12
Nuclear Steam System Supplier (NSSS Vendor) = Westinghouse Catawba, Unit 2 Nuclear Steam System Supplier (NSSS Vendor) = Westinghouse Pressurized-Water Reactor (PWR) In a typical commercial pressurized light-water reactor (1) the reactor core generates heat, (2) pressurized-water in the primary coolant loop carries the heat to the steam generator, (3) inside the steam generator heat from the primary coolant loop vaporizes the water in a secondary loop producing steam, (4) the steam line directs the steam to the main turbine causing it to turn the turbine generator, which produces electricity. The unused steam is exhausted to the condenser where it is condensed into water. The resulting water is pumped out of the condenser with a series of pumps, reheated, and pumped back to the steam generator. The reactors core contains fuel assemblies which are cooled by water, which is force-circulated by electrically powered pumps. Emergency cooling water is supplied by other pumps, which can be powered by onsite diesel generators. Other safety systems, such as the containment cooling system, also need power.
Containment: Both reactors are PWRs with wet, ice condenser containment.3 _________________________________________ 1With the return to service of Browns Ferry 1, the Browns Ferry Plant in Alabama is now the only plant in the southeast with more capacity than Oconee. |
see also:
annual
nuclear statistics back to 1953
projected electricity capacity to 2030
international
electricity statistics