Nuclear Energy

The Nearest Nuclear Power Plant

DTE Fermi II is just about 40 miles from us.

Where are the nuclear power plant? (data 2008)

Nuclear Energy in Perspective•Worldwide:•430 commercial nuclear power reactors in 31 countries•Providing over 11% electricity of the world

•In US:•104 nuclear reactors•Providing over 19% total electric output

Electricity generated by nuclear power (1949-2011)

Compare to other energy sources

How Nuclear Power WorksFrom mass to energy:•Use nuclear fission (splitting) reaction•Split uranium-235 -- fuel•Loss of mass is converted to energy: E = mc2

•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D91T-B-PVE0

The Nuclear Reactor Four main parts:•The uranium fuel assemblies•The control rods•The coolant/moderator•The pressure vessel: surround the core

Reactor Core

Step-by-step Nuclear Power Formation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnjGYHOePu0

1. Fuel is loaded into the reactor2. The fission reaction starts – atoms of fuel split and

release energy, neutrons and other products3. Control rods are used to control the reaction4. Water circulates to collect heat5. The heat is transferred to a second closed loop of

water to produce steam6. The steam moves the vanes on the turbine7. Generator starts spinning8. Electricity is produced

Benefits of Nuclear Energy•Environmental advantages•Less fuel mining: •30 tons of enriched uranium from mining 75,000 tons of ore•1 lb of uranium fuel = 50 tons of coal•No emission of CO2, SO2, and other pollutants•Low level of radioactivity produced•Less solid waste

Risks and Problems•Safe storage and disposal of radioactive wastes•Economic problems:•High cost in maintenance•Shorter-than-expected lifetime for nuclear power plant•High cost to close down or decommission a nuclear power plant

•Risk of radioactive accidents – widespread, long-lasting health and environmental problems•LOCA (loss-of-coolant accident): resulting in core overheating

core damage (meltdown) steam explosion & radioactive leakage