Difference between Thermal and Nuclear Power Plants

Thermal Power Plant:

• In Thermal Power Plant Reactor follows Turbine. When load demand changes governor system of turbine operates accordingly depends on load demand by opening or closing steam value. Hence more or less inputs are taken to boiler according to the load demand.
• Thermal Power Plants basically are peak load plants. However due to lack of power generation sources, thermal plants are forced to operate as base load plants.

Nuclear Power Plant:

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• In Nuclear Plants after reactor shut down still decay heat is produced due to the fission of the daughter nuclei and gamma radiation. Hence in nuclear power plant decay heat is to be removed continuously even the reactor is shutdown. Reactor cooling system must be continuously operated. 
• In Nuclear Plants safety is prime criteria than production of electricity
• Nuclear Power Plants are base load plants
• In Nuclear Plants Turbine follows reactor. No variation of the turbine speed according to load demand. This is designed in order to avoid tripping of reactor.

Some of the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear plants and advantages and disadvantages of thermal plants are discussed earlier.