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NUCLEAR ENERGY What is it?

NUCLEAR ENERGY What is it?. David J. Diamond Energy Sciences & Technology Department February 2009. THE SOURCE: FISSION. Fission is the splitting of a nucleus into two or more separate nuclei of comparable mass One neutron interacts with one “fissionable” nucleus (Uranium for example)

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NUCLEAR ENERGY What is it?

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  1. NUCLEAR ENERGYWhat is it? David J. Diamond Energy Sciences & Technology Department February 2009

  2. THE SOURCE: FISSION • Fission is the splitting of a nucleus into two or more separate nuclei of comparable mass • One neutron interacts with one “fissionable” nucleus (Uranium for example) • Results are: • Fission Products – Two heavy nuclides • One heavier than the other (Average ratio of ~ 2 : 3 ) • Neutrons – 2.43 on average emitted / fission • Important that more neutrons are produced than are used to cause one fission • Gamma rays, beta particles • Energy !! E = mc2

  3. NUCLEAR ENERGY FOR ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION • Currently produces 20% of U.S. electricity • 104 operating units in the U.S.

  4. U.S. NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

  5. NPPs AROUND THE WORLD

  6. PERCENT OF ELECTRICITY FROM NUCLEAR ENERGY

  7. TOP 10 NUCLEARGENERATING COUNTRIES2007, Billion kWh Enter text Source: International Atomic Energy Agency, U.S. is from Energy Information Administration Updated: 5/08

  8. NUCLEAR ENERGY FOR ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION • Currently produces 20% of U.S. electricity • 104 operating units in the U.S. • 19 UTILITIES ARE PROPOSING TO LICENSE 34 NEW UNITS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS • 17 applications for 24 units already before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission • Some purchasing of components has begun but no firm orders expected until licensing more advanced • An energy source the public should understand

  9. BOILING WATER REACTOR

  10. PRESSURIZED WATER REACTOR

  11. NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

  12. NPPs IN FINLAND

  13. AREVA VIDEO CLIP

  14. WATER SYSTEMS

  15. CONTROL ROOM

  16. NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS • ARE THE PRODUCT OF: • Nuclear Engineers • Mechanical Engineers • Electrical Engineers • Civil Engineers • Human Factors Experts • Computer Engineers/Scientists • Etc.

  17. WASTE DISPOSAL • A concern to many people • Used (spent) nuclear fuel consists of ceramic pellets encased in metal tubes • Current solution: On-site storage at NPPs

  18. DRY STORAGE IN CASKS ON SITE

  19. WASTE STORAGE • Long term solution financed by nuclear utilities in cooperation with U.S. government • Yucca Mountain: one site for high-level radioactive waste makes it easy to monitor, regulate, and secure • DOE: Required to design, construct, operate • EPA: Required to set standards to protect public and environment • NRC: Required to approve/license DOE proposal

  20. YUCCA MOUNTAIN SITE

  21. TRANSPORTATION • Over the last 40 years, 3,000 shipments of spent nuclear fuel on 1.7 million miles of U.S. roads • Each shipment carefully packaged and monitored • Casks are ~15 times thicker than a gasoline tank truck shell and include 3 inches of stainless steel with thick lead radiation shields • Typically for every ton of spent fuel there are 3 tons of protective packaging

  22. THE FUTURE OF NUCLEAR POWER IN THE U.S. • 51 NPPs have obtained extensions of their 40-year license to enable operation to 60 years--41 more are pending • Many plants have increased their power: 5900 MW of new nuclear electricity has been added (equivalent to adding 6 new units) • 19 UTILITIES ARE PROPOSING TO LICENSE 34 NEW UNITS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS • 17 applications for 24 units already before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission • Some purchasing of components has begun but no firm orders expected until licensing more advanced

  23. WHY NUCLEAR ENERGY SHOULD BE AN OPTION -- MARCH 15TH • Energy Security is National Security • Uranium is a domestic source of energy • Competitive Costs • No Climate-change Releases • Proven Record • Concentrated Form of Energy

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