Reactors use a closed loop system that is prevented from escaping into the environment. There's a heat exchange process so clean outside water gets heat from the water exposed to the reactor.
After that, the clean water in the reactor turns the generator turbines just like gas or coal plants would. The steam escaping the cool towers is clean, non-radioactive water.
ZLH-040 t1_j5z1wwb wrote
Reply to How hot is the steam coming out of nuclear power plants? by ivy-claw
Reactors use a closed loop system that is prevented from escaping into the environment. There's a heat exchange process so clean outside water gets heat from the water exposed to the reactor.
After that, the clean water in the reactor turns the generator turbines just like gas or coal plants would. The steam escaping the cool towers is clean, non-radioactive water.