Welcome to Darlington Nuclear Generating Station

Summary

The Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, located on Lake Ontario, is a key facility for Ontario Power Generation, supplying about 20% of the province's electricity needs. It houses four units, each producing 935 megawatts, using uranium fission and heavy water as a coolant and moderator. The process generates heat to produce steam, which drives turbines to create electricity. The station prioritizes safety with stringent protocols, including radiation monitoring and protective equipment. Over 2,500 staff maintain operations, ensuring the continuous supply of safe, reliable, and clean energy to Ontario.

Takeaways

• 📍 Darlington is a nuclear power station located on the shores of Lake Ontario, about 70 km east of Toronto.
• 🔋 It is one of Ontario Power Generation's two nuclear stations, providing around 20% of Ontario's electricity needs.
• 🏭 The facility is divided into two main areas: the nuclear side with reactors and the conventional side with turbine generators.
• 🔄 The power station has four generating units, each capable of producing 935 megawatts of electricity.
• ⚗️ Electricity is produced through nuclear fission, using the heat from splitting uranium atoms.
• 💧 Heavy water, which is found in all water bodies and is 10% heavier than ordinary water due to the presence of deuterium, is used to slow down neutrons in the reactor.
• 🔥 The heat generated from the nuclear reaction is transferred to ordinary water, turning it into steam that drives the turbines.
• 🌐 The steam powers a large turbine connected to a generator, which produces electricity through rotating magnetic fields.
• 🛡️ Used fuel is stored in secure areas, monitored by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
• 🛂 Security at the station is stringent, with measures similar to airport security, including checks for explosives, chemicals, and metal, as well as individual verification through hand bone structure.
• 👷‍♂️ Safety is paramount, with all personnel wearing protective equipment and undergoing continuous training, ensuring the highest safety standards are maintained.
• 🌐 The control room is the central hub for monitoring and controlling all important systems within the plant, operated by highly trained and certified staff.

Q & A

Where is the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station located?

The Darlington Nuclear Generating Station is located on the shores of Lake Ontario, about 70 km east of Toronto.

What is the primary function of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station?

The primary function of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station is to produce a significant amount of electricity, enough to power a city of around 2 million people, which is about 20% of Ontario's electricity needs.

How many generating units are there at Darlington, and what is the capacity of each unit?

There are four generating units at Darlington, labeled as units 1 to 4. Each unit has a capacity to generate 935 megawatts of electricity.

What is the process by which Darlington produces electricity?

Darlington produces electricity using the heat that comes from splitting uranium atoms in a process called nuclear fission.

What type of water is used in the nuclear reactors at Darlington, and why is it special?

Heavy water is used in the nuclear reactors at Darlington. It is special because it is 10% heavier than ordinary water due to the presence of deuterium, a heavy form of hydrogen, which helps slow down neutrons, making them more likely to hit and split uranium atoms.

How does the heated heavy water from the nuclear fission process contribute to electricity generation?

The heated heavy water flows through a closed loop system to a set of steam generators, where it transfers heat to ordinary water. When this water boils, it turns into steam, which is then used to turn a turbine and generate electricity.

What safety measures are in place for the used fuel at Darlington Nuclear Generating Station?

All used fuel is carefully stored in safe and secure areas that are constantly monitored by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

What is the security protocol for entering the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station?

Everyone entering the station must pass through a security building with checks similar to an airport security system, including machines to detect explosives, chemicals, and metal, and a turnstile that verifies security cards and individual hand bone structures.

What personal protective equipment is required for personnel working inside the station?

Personnel working inside the station must have safety glasses, hard hats, safety boots, gloves, and hearing protection. They also carry devices to constantly monitor for radiation.

How does the color coding system in the turbine hall help with system identification?

The color coding system in the turbine hall, with each unit having a distinct color (red for unit 1, yellow for unit 2, green for unit 3, and purple for unit 4), helps ensure correct unit and system identification, especially since all four generating units are identical.

What is the significance of the control room in the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station?

The control room is the mission control for the whole station, where every important system in the plant is monitored and controlled by highly trained and certified staff. It is crucial for the safe and efficient operation of the facility.

How does the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station ensure the highest safety standards?

The station uses a defense in-depth safety philosophy, which sets the highest standards for plant design and operations, including redundancy in critical components and systems, backup devices, and fast-acting shutdown systems.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Overview of Darlington Nuclear Generating Station

The Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, located on the shores of Lake Ontario, is a key facility for Ontario Power Generation. It supplies about 20% of Ontario's electricity needs, powering approximately 2 million people. The station houses four generating units, each capable of producing 935 megawatts of electricity. The process of nuclear fission is utilized to generate heat from uranium atoms, which is then used to produce steam and subsequently electricity. The station is divided into the nuclear side with reactors and the conventional side with turbine generators. Heavy water, which is a special type of water found naturally but in small quantities, is used to slow down neutrons, facilitating the fission process. The electricity produced is transmitted to homes and businesses through a network of transmission lines. Safety is paramount, with strict measures in place, including monitoring by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

05:03

🛠️ Inside the Darlington Nuclear Facility

The Darlington Nuclear Generating Station is a highly secured and meticulously maintained facility. Upon entering, individuals must pass through a security system akin to airport security, complete with explosive detection, X-ray machines, and metal detectors. All personnel are equipped with radiation monitoring devices and must wear appropriate safety gear, including safety glasses, hard hats, safety boots, and hearing protection. The station is divided into zones to prevent the transfer of radioactive materials, and movement between zones is closely monitored. The reactor buildings are made of heavily reinforced concrete, and when not in operation, technicians in protective gear can access the reactor through an airlock system. The turbine hall, a vast area housing all four turbine generating units, is color-coded to ensure correct identification of systems and equipment. The control room, likened to a mission control center, is where all critical systems are monitored and controlled by highly trained staff, emphasizing the importance of ongoing safety and job training.

10:04

🔋 The Human Element of Power Generation

Beyond the machinery and technology, the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station is powered by over 2,500 highly trained and skilled staff who work around the clock to ensure a continuous supply of safe, reliable, and clean electricity to Ontario. The station operates 24/7, with staff members undergoing extensive training and continual education to maintain the highest standards of safety and operational efficiency. The defense-in-depth safety philosophy is employed, setting stringent standards for plant design and operations, with backup devices and fast-acting shutdown systems in place for redundancy and safety. The vacuum building, a unique safety feature of the CANDU system, serves as a secondary containment structure, further enhancing the safety measures of the station.

Keywords

💡Darlington

Darlington is the name of the nuclear generating station located on the shores of Lake Ontario, about 70 km east of Toronto. It is one of the two nuclear power stations operated by Ontario Power Generation and serves as a central theme in the video, illustrating the facility's role in producing a significant portion of Ontario's electricity. The script mentions Darlington's capacity to power a city of around 2 million people, highlighting its importance to the region's energy infrastructure.

💡Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is the process by which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts, releasing a large amount of energy. In the context of the video, Darlington uses nuclear fission to generate electricity by splitting uranium atoms. The heat produced from this process is harnessed to produce steam, which then drives turbines to generate electricity, illustrating the fundamental principle behind nuclear power generation.

💡Heavy Water

Heavy water, also known as deuterium oxide, is water that contains a larger than normal amount of the hydrogen isotope deuterium. In the video, heavy water is used in the nuclear reactors at Darlington to slow down neutrons, increasing the likelihood of nuclear fission in the uranium fuel. This makes heavy water a crucial component in the nuclear reaction process depicted in the script.

💡Reactor

A reactor, in the context of the video, refers to the large, heavily shielded vessel known as a candria that contains the fuel channels and uranium fuel bundles. The script describes the reactor as the heart of the nuclear reactor where nuclear fission occurs, emphasizing its central role in the power generation process at Darlington.

💡Turbine Generators

Turbine generators are the conventional side components that convert the mechanical energy from the steam into electrical energy. The script mentions that each of the four generating units at Darlington has a reactor and a turbine generator, each capable of generating 935 megawatts of electricity, showcasing the scale of electricity production at the facility.

💡Uranium Pellets

Uranium pellets are small, processed pieces of naturally occurring uranium used as fuel in nuclear reactors. The video script describes how these pellets are sealed into metal tubes to form fuel bundles, which are then inserted into the reactor. These pellets are fundamental to the nuclear fission process that powers Darlington's electricity generation.

💡Steam Generators

Steam generators are components that transfer heat from the heated heavy water to ordinary water, causing it to boil and turn into steam. In the script, steam generators play a pivotal role in the process of converting the heat generated by nuclear fission into mechanical energy that drives the turbine blades.

💡Turbine Hall

The turbine hall is a vast area, almost the length of four football fields and 19 stories high, where all four turbine generating units are located. The script uses the turbine hall to illustrate the scale of the operation at Darlington and the impressive machinery involved in converting steam into electricity.

💡Control Room

The control room, referred to as 'mission control' for the whole station, is where all important systems in the plant are monitored and controlled. The script highlights the control room as the nerve center of Darlington, emphasizing the importance of highly trained and certified staff in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the nuclear power station.

💡Safety Measures

Safety measures encompass the various protocols, equipment, and procedures in place to protect workers and the environment. The video script details the stringent security checks, protective equipment, and monitoring devices used at Darlington, illustrating the station's commitment to safety as a core value.

💡Defence in Depth

Defence in depth is a safety philosophy that involves multiple layers of protection to prevent accidents and ensure the safe operation of a nuclear facility. The script mentions this philosophy in the context of Darlington's high standards for plant design and operations, including backup devices for redundancy and fast-acting shutdown systems.

Highlights

Darlington is a nuclear generating station on the shores of Lake Ontario, providing about 20% of Ontario's electricity needs.

The station has two main areas: the nuclear side with reactors and the conventional side with turbine generators.

There are four generating units at Darlington, each capable of producing 935 megawatts of electricity.

Electricity is generated using heat from nuclear fission, a process that splits uranium atoms.

The fuel used is naturally occurring uranium, processed into pellets and sealed into metal tubes.

Heavy water, found in all water sources, is used to slow down neutrons and facilitate the fission process.

The heated heavy water transfers heat to ordinary water, producing steam that drives the turbines.

The steam's high pressure turns a large turbine, connected to a generator that produces electricity.

The electricity is transmitted through lines to homes and businesses, with safety as a top priority.

All used fuel is securely stored and monitored by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and IAEA.

Security at the station is stringent, with measures similar to airport security systems.

Personnel and visitors must wear protective equipment, and radiation levels are constantly monitored.

The station is divided into zones to prevent the transfer of radioactive materials.

The control room is the mission control for the entire station, monitoring and controlling all systems.

Nuclear operators undergo extensive training and certification by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

The defense in-depth safety philosophy ensures the highest standards for plant design and operations.

The vacuum building is a unique safety feature of the CANDU system, providing secondary containment.

Over 2,500 staff work at Darlington, ensuring the continuous supply of safe, reliable, and clean electricity.

Transcripts

this is

Darlington on the shores of Lake Ontario

about 70 km east of

Toronto it's one of Ontario power

generation's two Nuclear Generating

stations and it's basically a factory

for making lots of electricity enough to

power a city of around 2 million people

that's about 20% of Ontario's

electricity

needs the building is divided into two

main areas along its length the nuclear

side with the reactors and the

conventional side with the turbine

generators that make the

electricity there are four generating

units at Darlington units 1 to 4 each

with a reactor and a turbine generator

each unit can generate 935 me gatts of

[Music]

electricity Darlington produces

electricity using the heat that comes

from splitting uranium atoms in a

process called nuclear

fishion the fuel is naturally occurring

uranium that's processed into small

pellets the pellets are sealed into

metal tubes which are welded together to

form a fuel bundle the fuel bundles are

then inserted into to a large tank

called a candria which is the heart of

the nuclear

reactor in can do reactors a special

kind of water called heavy water flows

around the fuel

bundles heavy water is found in all

water rivers lakes and oceans on average

one out of every 7,000 drops of water is

heavy water it's 10% heavier than

ordinary water because it incorporates a

heavy form of hydrogen called duter

[Music]

the heavy water slows down tiny

particles called neutrons so they are

more likely to hit and split the uranium

atoms a chain reaction of splitting

atoms releases tremendous heat into the

heavy

water the heated heavy water flows

through a closed loop system that's

pumped through the reactor to a set of

steam generators where it transfers the

heat to ordinary water when that water

boils it turns into

steam the steam is transported at high

pressure through pipes to a large

turbine where it pushes the blades and

turns a shaft connected to a rotor in

the generator causing the rotor to spin

the spinning rotor is a large

electromagnet that produces rotating

magnetic fields these fields move across

coils of copper wire in the generator

producing

electricity the electricity is fed into

transmission lines that carry the power

from Darlington to people's homes and

businesses all used fuel is carefully

stored in safe and secure areas that are

constantly monitored by the Canadian

nuclear safety commission and the

international atomic energy agency

[Music]

so let's take a tour of

Darlington before going into the station

everyone has to pass through a security

building that operates a lot like an

airport security

system there are machines to check for

explosive

chemicals x-ray

machines and metal

[Music]

detectors then everyone has to pass

through a Turn Style where their

security card and their individual

handbone structure must

match at all times highly trained

security staff inspect every person and

everything entering and leaving the

station then all Personnel pick up

devices that are issued to them to

constantly monitor for radiation while

inside the

station safety is the number one

priority at all Ontario power generation

facilities so everyone working in the

station must have the proper protective

equipment safety

glasses Hard Hats Safety boots gloves

and hearing

protection visitors must also wear

safety

[Music]

equipment the main entry for the station

is through an area known as unit

zero this is where the common systems

for the entire station are located

heating lighting ventilation and the

operations control

room also located in unit Zer R the

mechanical maintenance shop where

experts in welding Machining and pipe

fitting work on

equipment the control maintenance shop

for the experts in electrical

instrumentation and electronic

systems and stores where people pick up

the tools and parts they need to do

their job

thank you very much wel work the station

is divided into zones according to the

location of systems and equipment to

prevent the transfer of radioactive

materials whenever people or equipment

move from Zone to Zone they monitor to

ensure no transfer of

radioactivity let's start at the

beginning of the fishing process cess

where heat is released from the

fuel each of the four reactor buildings

is made of heavily reinforced concrete

with external Walls 2 m

thick when a reactor is operating no one

can enter the reactor Vault but when

it's shut down for maintenance radiation

Fields decrease and train staff can

safely work here technicians put on

protective equipment log in with their

tools and then access the reactor

through the airlock system the reactor

consists of a large heavily shielded

vessel or candria which contains 480

fuel channels and

6,240 bundles of uranium fuel

[Music]

we're now looking down on the top of the

reactor Vault the process of nuclear

fishing draws the heat from the fuel to

boil ordinary water into

[Music]

steam all that steam is transferred over

to the turbine side of the station

through large steam

lines so this

is the turbine Hall it's almost four

football fields long and 19 stories high

all four turbine generating units are

located in this one giant

area you can see the color coating unit

1 is red unit 2 is

yellow unit 3 is

green and unit four is

purple this color coding extends all the

way through the systems for the unit and

into the control

room since all four generating units are

identical the color coding ensures

correct unit and system

identification the turbine blades are

shaped like a fan where steam enters and

turns the

blades in the center is a connecting

shaft that rotates at 1,800 times a

minute as the steam pushes the

blades at the very end is a Rel atively

small piece of equipment the actual

generator where the electricity is made

from here it's out to the grid and into

homes and

[Music]

[Applause]

businesses so finally we come back to

unit zero and the control room mission

control for the whole

station every important system in the

plant is monitored and controlled from

this room by highly trained and

certified

staff authoriz ized nuclear operators go

through an average of 8 years of

highlevel training and testing to become

fully certified by the Canadian nuclear

safety

commission all Darlington staff are

lifelong Learners and spend up to 20% of

their time in continual safety and job

training OPG Nuclear Generating stations

use the defense in-depth safety

philosophy that sets the highest

standards for plant design and

operations for critical components and

systems backup devices ensure redundancy

at all times as well as fast acting

shutdown

[Music]

systems there is a secondary containment

structure called the vacuum

building this 71 M High 24 story

cylindrical concrete structure is

connected to the reactor buildings by a

pressure relief

duct and is a unique safety feature of

the can do

[Music]

system so that's a look inside the

massive machine that is the Darlington

Nuclear Generating Station but

ultimately that's not what makes the

power it takes

people over

2,500 highly trained and skilled staff

work at Darlington 24 hours a day 365

days a

year supplying the homes and businesses

of Ontario with safe reliable clean

electricity

[Music]