Definition

1. Noun:
   • A pressurized water reactor: A type of nuclear reactor that uses ordinary water under high pressure as both a coolant to remove heat from the reactor core and as a neutron moderator to sustain the nuclear chain reaction. The heat generated is transferred via a heat exchanger to a secondary circuit where steam is produced to drive a turbine for electricity generation.

Usage

• PWR is a technical acronym used primarily in the fields of nuclear engineering, energy policy, and related sciences. It is typically written in uppercase letters.
• It functions as a countable noun.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The most common type of nuclear reactor in the world is the PWR.
  • The new power plant will feature two PWRs with a combined capacity of 2400 MW.
  • Safety protocols for a PWR are designed to maintain the cooling water under pressure at all times.

Advanced Usage

• "PWR technology": Refers to the engineering principles and systems specific to pressurized water reactors.
  • The country invested heavily in developing its own PWR technology.
• As a modifier: PWR is often used adjectivally before other nouns.
  • The PWR design has evolved significantly since its inception.
  • They discussed PWR safety features at the conference.

Variants and Related Words

• Pressurized Water Reactor: The full, non-acronym form of PWR.
• BWR (Boiling Water Reactor): A different type of nuclear reactor where water is allowed to boil directly in the core to produce steam.
• Nuclear reactor: The general category to which a PWR belongs.
• Coolant: The substance (water, in a PWR) used to remove heat from the reactor core.
• Moderator: A material (water, in a PWR) used to slow down neutrons to sustain fission.

Synonyms

• Pressurized water reactor (full term).
• Light water reactor (LWR): A broader category that includes both PWRs and BWRs, which use ordinary (light) water as opposed to heavy water.

Notes

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs associated with the technical acronym PWR.

Noun

1. a nuclear reactor that uses water as a coolant and moderator; the steam produced can drive a steam turbine