: M A X , M I C H A E L , A H M E D

NUCLEAR ENERGY

NUCLEAR REACTORS

• Nuclear fission – neutrons split nuclei of atoms of uranium 235 and plutonium 239• Release energy as high temperature heat which is

used to spin turbines and generate energy. • An animation of how a nuclear reactor works:

http://www.45nuclearplants.com/nuclear_reactor_designs.asp

PARTS OF A REACTOR

• The core - It contains 35,000 – 75,000 long thin fuel rods. • The pellet – contained in the fuel rods, have the

energy equivalence of 1 ton of coal or 4 barrels of crude oil• Moderator – it is a neutron absorbing material

that slows down neutrons emitted to keep the chain reaction going. • Control rods – Are moved in and out of the core to

regulate rate of fission and power.

RADIOACTIVE WASTE

• Each part of the nuclear fuel cycle produces low level and high level solid, liquid, and gaseous.• High level radioactive waste must be stored

safely for at least 10,000 yrs. • Plutonium 239 is the most dangerous radiation, if

it isn’t removed during the cycle it takes 240,000 years to decompose. • Because it takes so much time for radiation to

reach safe levels , there is more chance of terrorists acquiring the spent fuel rods for weapons.

ADVANTAGES

• Large fuel supply• Low environmental impact• Emits 1/6 as much CO2 as coal • Moderate land disruption and water pollution • Moderate land use• Low risk of accidents because of safety systems

DISADVANTAGES

• Can’t compete economically without government subsidies• Low net energy yield• When accidents do happen they are catastrophic• No widely acceptable solution for long term

storage of waste• Subject to terrorist attacks• Spreads knowledge and tech. for building nuclear

weapons.

COUNTRIES WITH NUCLEAR ENERGY

• 1. France – 77.7 % • 2. Belgium – 54.0 %• 3. Slovakia – 54.0 %• 4. Ukraine – 47.2 %• 5. Hungary – 43.2 %

CASE STUDY: CHERNOBYL

• April 26, 1986 a series of explosions in a power plant in northern Ukraine blew the massive roof of a reactor building.• The reactor partially melted and its graphite

moderator caught fire, which burned for 10 days.• It released radioactive clouds, which eventually

encircled the entire planet. • Some 350,000 people had to leave the area. • Even today, in some parts of Ukraine people can

not eat or drink local food products.