4Nuclear Power

Hydropower Quiz: Label and write out the function of the missing parts Name:___________

Nuclear Power (AKA Atomic Power)Where does it come from: Heat which converts water to steam. Steam is then used to drive the turbines which drives the generator. Electric energy comes the. The heat comes from the energy of the radioactive decay of uranium. (From Science 10)Summarize:Radioactive decay Heat produces Steam spins Turbine spins produces heat steam turbine generator

Nuclear Power (AKA Atomic Power)

Where does it come from: Heat and electric energy comes from the nuclear energy harnessed during the radioactive decay of uranium. (From Science 10)Summarize:Radioactive decay Heat produces Steam spins Turbine spins produces heat steam turbine generator

Ways nuclear power is used:- Warfare (Nuclear bomb)- Power plants for household and industrial energy- On ships, submarines and other isolated areas (Icebreakers)- Possible uses in space exploration in the future

Who Uses it?Mainly used: US, Europe (France), India, East Asia (10% of the worlds energy)

Lifecycle

Lifecycle of Nuclear Power:1) Mining uranium2) Uranium ore is compacted and stablized into a form called

yellowcake

Lifecycle

Lifecycle of Nuclear Power:1) Mining uranium2) Uranium ore is compacted and stablized into a form

called yellowcake3) Yellow cake is safer to transport then ore4) Yellowcake must be converted to Uranium hexafluoride

Lifecycle

Lifecycle of Nuclear Power:1) Mining uranium2) Uranium ore is compacted and stablized into a form

called yellowcake3) Yellow cake is safer to transport then ore4) Yellowcake must be converted to Uranium hexafluoride5) This form of uranium is used to generate power6) After 6 years the uranium must be placed into a waste

system for 5 years and then into long term radioactive waste storage

Lifecycle

Lifecycle of Nuclear Power:1) Mining uranium2) Uranium ore is compacted and stablized into a form

called yellowcake3) Yellow cake is safer to transport then ore4) Yellowcake must be converted to Uranium hexafluoride5) This form of uranium is used to generate power

Lifecycle

Lifecycle of Nuclear Power:1) Mining uranium2) Uranium ore is compacted and stablized into a form

called yellowcake3) Yellowcake is safer to transport then ore4) Yellowcake must be converted to Uranium hexafluoride5) This form of uranium is used to generate power6) After 6 years the uranium must be placed into a waste

system for 5 years and then into long term radioactive waste storage

Nuclear Power Plant

N

Parts of the Nuclear Power Plant

Pros

• Produces no emissions

Pros

• Produces no emissions: – Smoke leaving the stacks is actually water vapor

• There is a large supply of uranium available

Cons

• Uranium is only useful for 6 years• Must be stored for long period of time– 5 years pool storage (too hot for dry storage)– Long term dry storage

• Nuclear disasters:-Chernobyl (1986)-Fukushima (2011)

Cons• Nuclear ExplosionsThree nuclear explosionsChernobyl disaster (1986), Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (2011)Three Mile Island accident (1979)

• Waste products– Toxic (radioactive) – Breakdown slowly– Need to be secured

Assignment

Nuclear Disaster Research

Next class: Cons of nuclear power Zero Hour: Disaster at Chernobyl (Discovery Channel) (2004)