Nuclear Power

1. Nuclear Power By David Slone

2. Technology • The power is produced in a nuclear reactor • Radioactive Uranium is used to heat up water into steam. The steam then turns a turbine which produces power. • Water in the reactor also cools the radioactive material, preventing it from overheating and causing a melt down

3. Some nuclear power plants differ in their design of the reactor • In some nuclear power plants, the steam from the reactor goes through a secondary, intermediate heat exchanger to convert another loop of water to steam, which drives the turbine. The advantage to this design is that the radioactive water/steam never contacts the turbine. Also, in some reactors, the coolant fluid in contact with the reactor core is gas (carbon dioxide) or liquid metal (sodium, potassium); these types of reactors allow the core to be operated at higher temperatures

4. Inside a Nuclear Power Plant • http://science.howstuffworks.com/inside-nuclear-power-plant-pictures1.htm?lightbox=true

5. History of Nuclear Power • •The science of atomic radiation, atomic change and nuclear fission was developed from 1895 to 1945, much of it in the last six of those years. • •Over 1939-45, most development was focused on the atomic bombs for use in WWII. • •From 1945 attention was given to harnessing this energy in a controlled way for naval propulsion and for making electricity. • •Since 1956 the prime focus has been on the technological evolution of reliable nuclear power plants.

6. Advantages • Nuclear energy is used to generate around 13% of the world's electricity, with almost no greenhouse gas emissions • A single uranium fuel pellet contains as much energy as 480 cubic metres of natural gas, 807 kilos of coal or 149 gallons of oil. • Nuclear power plants can generate electricity continuously for many months at a time, without interruption • A single pound of enriched Uranium can produce the same amount of energy equivalent to 1 million gallons of gasoline

7. Disadvantages • Nuclear reactors can release radioactive steam into the surrounding area • There is a possibility of a meltdown in the core of the nuclear reactor • Produces extremely toxic waste that last for a very long time and can harm all life in the area • Not a long term power source due to the depleting supply of uranium. • Difficulty storing used uranium rods

8. Environment • Nuclear reactors produce clean energy with almost no greenhouse emissions • Nuclear power can produce radiation that can harm humans and animal. • Nuclear power plants produce minimal CO2 emissions

9. U.S. Capacity Factors by Fuel Type2011 Source: Ventyx Velocity Suite / Energy Information Administration Updated: 4/12

10. Economics • The price to make a nuclear power plant and maintain it , is significantly more than most alternative energy plants • Taking all costs into account, electricity from a nuclear power plant could cost customers $14 to $30 more per megawatthour than electricity from a coal-fired power plant

12. Usage • Nuclear power provides clean energy • Nuclear power produces nuclear waste • Uranium supplies are rapidly depleting • Nuclear power is not a long term energy source • There are now over 430 commercial nuclear power reactors operating in 31 countries, with 372,000 MWe of total capacity. • • They provide about 13.5% of the world's electricity as continuous, reliable base-load power, and their efficiency is increasing. • • 56 countries operate a total of about 240 research reactors and a further 180 nuclear reactors power some 150 ships and submarines.

13. Fin