nuclear energy about 20% of us electricity is from nuclear power plants
TRANSCRIPT
Nuclear EnergyNuclear Energy
About 20% of US electricity is from nuclear power plants.
[http://www.nrc.gov/images/info-finder/reactor/reactors-map.gif]
Nuclear EnergyNuclear Energy
A nuclear reactor uses heat from a controlled fission reaction
This is used to create the steam needed to generate electricity.
[http://www.converdyn.com/industry/images/chain-reaction.gif]
Nuclear EnergyNuclear Energy Control Rods are
used in the core to make sure the fission reaction does not create too much heat.
Made from Boron or Cadmium
[http://www.pplweb.com/NR/rdonlyres/2FD20393-1529-462D-BF8D-266B8B3AC063/0/diagram_controlrod.gif]
Click Here for a Demo.
[http://echelon1.mit.edu/~nate/reactor/cerenkov.jpg]
The core of a reactor.
Cerenkov radiation
[http://www.npp.hu/mukodes/kepek/navegre-e.jpg]
[http://www.johnharveyphoto.com/RoadTrip/NuclearReactor.jpg]
Cooling Tower, not the reactor!
[http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/nuclear/page/at_a_glance/states/tn_chattanooga%20.jpg]
Nuclear EnergyNuclear Energy
Nuclear fuel is Uranium Dioxide (UO2)
3-5% of U-235 isotope must be present.
Remember: U-238 is most abundant! (only 0.7% is U-235) [http://americanhistory.si.edu/tmi/images/02.09_thumb.jpg]
Uranium Soil Concentrations
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/12/Uraniumdisstribution.jpg]
Nuclear EnergyNuclear Energy
Pros No air pollutants. No carbon dioxide. Overall efficiency around 35%, same as
fossil fuel plants. Only $0.03 per kWh of energy produced
(but larger “start-up” costs)
Nuclear EnergyNuclear Energy
Cons Mining for uranium. Disposal of nuclear
waste. Possible release of
radioactivity. RBMK Reactor
(Chernobyl) vs. LWR Reactor (United States)
[http://www.nrc.gov/waste/spent-fuel-storage/spent-fuel-stor-locations.gif]
RBMK Reactor (Chernobyl)
If H2O is lost, reaction speeds up!
LWR Reactor (United States)
If H2O is lost, reaction slows down!
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