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Chapter 15

Chapter 15. Nonrenewable Energy – Nuclear Power. Objective:. Evaluate nuclear power as an energy source. NUCLEAR FISSION. Isotopes of uranium and plutonium Enrichment of uranium-235 Fuel rods Video (of a video?). Small amounts of radioactive gases. NUCLEAR REACTOR.

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Chapter 15

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  1. Chapter 15 Nonrenewable Energy – Nuclear Power

  2. Objective: • Evaluate nuclear power as an energy source.

  3. NUCLEAR FISSION • Isotopes of uranium and plutonium • Enrichment of uranium-235 • Fuel rods Video (of a video?)

  4. Small amounts of radioactive gases NUCLEAR REACTOR Uranium fuel input (reactor core) Control rods Containment shell Heat exchanger Turbine Steam Generator Electric power Waste heat Hot coolant Useful energy 25%–30% Hot water output Pump Pump Coolant Pump Pump Waste heat Cool water input Moderator Coolant passage Pressure vessel Shielding Water Condenser Periodic removal and storage of radioactive wastes and spent fuel assemblies Periodic removal and storage of radioactive liquid wastes Water source (river, lake, ocean)

  5. NUCLEAR WASTE • Radioactive • Spent fuel rods • Coolant • Decommissioning • Enrichment

  6. Decommissioning of reactor Fuel assemblies Reactor Enrichment of UF6 Fuel fabrication (conversion of enriched UF6 to UO2 and fabrication of fuel assemblies) Temporary storage of spent fuel assemblies underwater or in dry casks Conversion of U3O8 to UF6 Uranium-235 as UF6Plutonium-239 as PuO2 Spent fuel reprocessing Low-level radiation with long half-life Geologic disposal of moderate & high-level radioactive wastes Open fuel cycle today “Closed” end fuel cycle

  7. LONG-TERM STORAGE • Deep underground • Space • Antarctic ice sheet • Deep-ocean floor • Change it into harmless or less harmful isotopes

  8. SAFETY • Meltdown: Chernobyl • Terrorism

  9. Trade-Offs Advantages Disadvantages Conventional Nuclear Fuel Cycle Large fuel supply Cannot compete economically without huge government subsidies Low environmental impact (without accidents) Low net energy yield High environmental impact (with major accidents) Emits 1/6 as much CO2 as coal Catastrophic accidents can happen (Chernobyl) Moderate land disruption and water pollution (without accidents) No widely acceptable solution for long-term storage of radioactive wastes and decommissioning worn-out plants Moderate land use Low risk of accidents because of multiple safety systems (except for 15 Chernobyl-type reactors) Subject to terrorist attacks Spreads knowledge and technology for building nuclear weapons

  10. S0. . . • Expensive • Safety • Waste • CO2 • No new reactors

  11. NEW AND SAFER • Pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR) • Breeder

  12. FUSION • Fuse small nuclei • Laboratory stage

  13. Objective: • Evaluate nuclear power as an energy source.

  14. Question • List 3 reasons why you would or would not protest the construction of a nuclear power plant between Brandon and Sioux Falls. Be prepared to justify your reasons!

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