Thermal-neutron reactor

Light-Water Reactor, LWR Heavy Water Reactor, HWR Gas-Cooled Reactor, GCR ==Examples by generation==

Generation I (1950s–1960s) These were early prototypes and demonstration reactors. • Shippingport Atomic Power Station (USA): The world’s first full-scale PWR. • Magnox reactors (UK): Used natural uranium and graphite moderation. • Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant AM-1 (USSR): The first grid-connected nuclear power plant. Generation II (1970s–1990s) Commercial reactors with standardized designs and improved safety. • Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) – e.g., Westinghouse and Framatome designs. • Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) – e.g., GE BWR series. • CANDU reactor – Canadian heavy water reactors using natural uranium. • Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) – UK graphite-moderated, CO2-cooled. All of these are thermal reactors using moderators like water or graphite. ==Generation III / III+ (1990s–present)==

Enhanced safety, longer lifespans, and passive safety systems. • AP1000 (USA): A Gen III+ PWR with passive cooling. • EPR (European Pressurized Reactor): High-output PWR used in France and Finland. • VVER-1200 (Russia): Modernized version of Soviet PWRs. • CANDU 6 Enhanced: Updated heavy water reactor with improved safety. ==See also==