Nuclear EnergyNuclear Energy

Nuclear History in PANuclear History in PA

In 1957, the first In 1957, the first commercial nuclear power commercial nuclear power plant in the United States plant in the United States went on line in went on line in Shippingport, PennsylvaniaShippingport, Pennsylvania

In 1979, the Three Mile In 1979, the Three Mile Island nuclear plant has a Island nuclear plant has a meltdownmeltdown

Nuclear Power in PANuclear Power in PA

PA ranks 2PA ranks 2ndnd in the country in nuclear in the country in nuclear power generationpower generation

How many nuclear power facilities How many nuclear power facilities are there in PA?are there in PA? 5 facilities5 facilities Closest on in Limerick, PAClosest on in Limerick, PA

Limerick, PALimerick, PA

Limerick Nuclear Power Plant

Nuclear Power Plants in the U.S.Nuclear Power Plants in the U.S.

You rainy?

Ummm . . .

UraniumUranium

Uranium Ore Uranium Ore 99.3% of all uranium 99.3% of all uranium

atoms are the isotope atoms are the isotope U-238 U-238

Remaining 0.7% are Remaining 0.7% are U-235U-235

Fuel PelletsFuel Pellets U-235 is more desirable U-235 is more desirable

because it’s easier to split because it’s easier to split (fission)(fission)

Enrichment process Enrichment process increases the amount of U-increases the amount of U-235235

FissionFission

A nuclear power plant A nuclear power plant converts the energy contained converts the energy contained within the nuclei of atoms into within the nuclei of atoms into electrical energyelectrical energy

U-235 absorbs a neutron to U-235 absorbs a neutron to become highly unstable U-236become highly unstable U-236

U-236 splits and releases a U-236 splits and releases a tremendous amount of heat tremendous amount of heat energyenergy

Nuclear FissionNuclear Fission

Nuclear HumorNuclear Humor

I love nuclear fission!

What kind of bait do you

use?

Nuclear Energy in the WorldNuclear Energy in the World

Nuclear power plants generate about Nuclear power plants generate about 22% of the United States’ electricity22% of the United States’ electricity

In comparison:In comparison: 75% in France75% in France 46% in Sweden46% in Sweden 43% in Ukraine43% in Ukraine 39% in South Korea39% in South Korea 30% in Germany30% in Germany 30% in Japan30% in Japan

Cooling TowersCooling Towers

Most nuclear power plants that aren’t Most nuclear power plants that aren’t located next to the ocean need cooling located next to the ocean need cooling towers to remove the excess heat towers to remove the excess heat

IT IS NOT RADIOACTIVEIT IS NOT RADIOACTIVE

BenefitsBenefits

““Clean” source of energy Clean” source of energy No CONo CO22 emissions emissions No SO2 emissionsNo SO2 emissions

Reduce dependence on fossil fuelsReduce dependence on fossil fuels Stable energy pricesStable energy prices

DrawbacksDrawbacks

Mining for uranium isn’t Mining for uranium isn’t “environmentally-friendly”“environmentally-friendly”

Meltdowns – nuclear reactor accident Meltdowns – nuclear reactor accident in which radioactive gases are in which radioactive gases are released into the atmosphere (ex: released into the atmosphere (ex: Three Mile Island)Three Mile Island)

Used fuel remains radioactive for Used fuel remains radioactive for thousands of yearsthousands of years

Nuclear Power Plant MeltdownsNuclear Power Plant Meltdowns

In 1986, the Chernobyl (Ukraine) nuclear In 1986, the Chernobyl (Ukraine) nuclear reactor explodedreactor exploded

50 tons of radioactive material spewed 50 tons of radioactive material spewed into the surrounding area, contaminating into the surrounding area, contaminating millions of acres of forest. millions of acres of forest.

Forced the evacuation of at least 30,000 Forced the evacuation of at least 30,000 peoplepeople

Eventually caused thousands to die from Eventually caused thousands to die from cancer and other illnesses cancer and other illnesses