Nuclear Power Essay, Research Paper
Nuclear Power
Most of the world’s electricity is generated by either thermal or hydroelectric power plants. Thermal power plants use fuel to boil water which makes steam. The steam turns turbines that generate electricity. Hydroelectric power plants use the great force of rushing water from a dam or a waterfall to turn the turbines.
The majority of thermal power plants burn fossil fuels because thermal power plants are cheaper to maintain and have to meet less of the governments requirements compared to nuclear power plants. Fossil fuels are coal and oil. The downfall of using fossil fuels is that they are limited. Fossil fuels are developed from the remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago. Burning fossil fuels has other downfalls, too. All the burning that is required to turn the turbines releases much sulfur, nitrogen gases, and other pollutants into the atmosphere.
The cleanest, cheapest, and least polluting power plant of the two types is the hydroelectric power plant. The main reason most countries use thermal versus the hydroelectric is because their countries don’t have enough concentrated water to create enough energy to generate electricity. (World Book vol. 14, 586)
Nuclear power plants generate only about eleven percent of the world’s electricity. There are around 316 nuclear power plants in the world that create 213,000 megawatts of electricity. (INFOPEDIA)
Radioactive, or nuclear, waste is the by-product of nuclear fission. Fission occurs when atoms’ nucleus’ split and cause a nuclear reaction. (General Information) When a free neutron splits a nucleus, energy is released along with free neutrons, fission fragments that give off beta rays, and gamma rays. A free neutron from the nucleus that just split splits another nucleus. This process continues on and is called a chain reaction. (World Book vol. 14, 588)
The fission process is used to create heat, which boils water inside the nuclear reactor. The steam that boiling the water makes is used to turn turbines, which in turn, generate electricity. Fission happens inside a carefully monitored nuclear reactor, when being used in a nuclear power plant. The fission process that nuclear power plants use spends approximately 30,000 tons of highly radioactive waste a year. (General Information)
In a nuclear power plant, Uranium is used as fuel to boil the water for the steam that makes the turbines turn. So, uranium is, in a sense, the coal of a coal-fired power plant.
When fueling nuclear power plants, the uranium arrives as uranium-enriched pellets. These pellets are an equivalent to one ton of coal. The pellets are sealed in tubes that are made of a strong heat- and corrosion-resistant metal alloy. This metal alloy will protect people and the environment from the high levels of radiation that the uranium is giving off.
The tubes are bundled together to make a fuel assembly. The assemblies are put inside the reactor to create heat that will boil the water. The fuel assemblies are used until they are depleted. A fuel assembly is depleted when it no longer gives off enough energy to turn the turbines.
Once every year, one third of the nuclear fuel in a reactor is replaced with fresh fuel. The used-up fuel is called spent fuel. Spent fuel is highly radioactive and is the primary form of high-level nuclear waste. (General Information)
High-level radioactive waste is the by-product of commercial nuclear power plants generating electricity, and from nuclear materials production at defense facilities. This high-level waste must be isolated in a safe place for thousands of years so its radioactivity can die down and not be harmful to people and the environment.
The name of the “safe place” that the Department of Energy is trying to make is called a repository. But until a repository is made, spent fuel and high-level waste is being stored in temporary storage facilities called dry casks and cooling pools. By the end of the year 2000, there will be more than 40,000 metric tons of high-level waste in casks and storage pools. There will also be more than 8,000 metric tons of high-level waste from defense programs. The high-level waste from defense programs is currently being stored in Idaho, South Carolina, and Washington. (General Information)
Reprocessing is the chemical process by which uranium and plutonium are recovered from spent fuel. This means that it is the recycling process of high-level waste. The reason private industries aren’t reprocessing their high-level waste is because reprocessing costs more than mining and making new fuel. Several countries that actually care about their environment reprocess their high-level waste. (General Information)
Dry casks and cooling pools are being used to store spent fuel in power plants everywhere. (Shulman, 14) Dry casks and cooling pools are only meant to be temporary storage facilities until a permanent repository is made. The need for a permanent disposal for high-level radioactive waste is becoming more urgent every year because the dry casks and cooling pools at nuclear power plants are filling up.
A dry cask is a concrete of steel container that protects the outside world from its radioactive innards. A cooling pools is a pools of water that the spent fuel is put into. The water is a radioactive shield and coolant. (General Information)
The cooling pools were supposed to contain no more than 400 fuel assemblies, approximately 80,000 rods. The pools contain over four times as much of the spent fuel that they’re supposed to. Nearly all of the nations older power plants are in this state of overload.
In the late 1980’s, government industry researchers became concerned that if the rods were too closely stored in the pools, a nuclear reaction would occur. When researched further, the chain reaction theory became very remote. News of this resulted in even more densely packed cooling pools. (Shulman, 14)
The cooling pools are a type of concrete warehouse. Inside the warehouses are steel caskets containing the spent fuel rods and cooling pools. Scientists say that the cooling pool prevents the spent fuel to explode, but the extreme weight of the fuel inside the warehouses might cause the structures to rupture, especially in the case of an earthquake. (Shulman, 15)
A repository is a storage facility that stores high-level nuclear waste deep underground so the waste can not harm or effect people or the environment. (DOE’s Yucca Mountain Studies) With the technology that we [humankind] have toady. Scientists believe it to be possible to make a repository somewhere. The guidelines of a repository are mainly if the geologic location will work out (i.e. will an earthquake be able to rupture it, will water be able to corrode the repositories outer wall.).
To make sure that the repository would be able to stay unscathed for thousands of years, scientists in all areas of science are making predictions of what could happen over the time period.
According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, a repository may pose no greater threat than unmined uranium from which the high-level waste was produced.
The repository the DOE is wanting to make has to be proven that it will still be isolated underground in 10,000. After this extensive time, the high-level waste should no longer be radioactive enough to harm the public health. (General Information)
A rem is a unit scientist use to measure radiation exposure. Over a persons lifetime, they usually receive 7-14 rems of natural sources of radiation, such as cosmic rays and ultraviolet rays from the sun. On a single exposure of 5-75 rems, there are few to no noticeable symptoms. For someone to receive 75-200 rems of exposure, vomiting, fatigue, and loss of appetite would occur. Recovery would take a few weeks. If someone were to be exposed to more than 300 rems, severe changes in blood cells and hemorrhage takes place. If someone were to receive more than 600 rems, symptoms would be hairloss, loss in your bodies ability to fight infection and usually results in death. (World Book vol. 16, 79)
As you can see, the effects of radiation sickness is not too pleasant. The main reason for building a repository is to keep people and the environment safe from deadly radiation.
“DOE’s Yucca Mountain Studies.” A repository is an enormous challenge. URL: ymp.gov/faq/facts/geninfo/y0343p.htm (4 Feb. 1997)
“General Information.” What is nuclear fuel and waste? URL: ymp.gov/faq/facts/geninfo/Y338P.HTM (4 Feb. 1997)
INFOPEDIA. Vers. 1.5. Computer software. Future Vision Multimedia, 1995. IBM Windows 3.1, 30KB, CD-ROM.
Shulman, Seth. “Waiting Game for Nuclear Waste.” Technology Review Aug. – Sept. 1992: 14-15.
World Book. 22 Volumes. Vol.14 and 16. Chicago: World Book, Inc., 1988
Другие работы по теме:
Nuclear Power Essay Research Paper People use
Nuclear Power Essay, Research Paper People use a lot of natural resources on the earth. These resources are gradually being diminished. As these resources are diminished we will continue to look for alternative energy sources. Currently the only short term solution to this problem is nuclear power. The problem with that though is that nuclear power is not as safe as burning coal, gas, or oil.
Nuclear Proliferation Essay Research Paper What is
Nuclear Proliferation Essay, Research Paper What is the best way to address the question of nuclear proliferation in the coming century? In this paper I will state my views on the inevitability of nuclear proliferation and the views of others, as well as addressing what will come of the vertical proliferation of nuclear technology and delivery systems.
Nuclear Weapons Essay Research Paper Even though
Nuclear Weapons Essay, Research Paper Even though the United States and Russia have just concluded the most far-reaching nuclear arms reduction treaty in history, the danger that nuclear weapons will actually be used is growing rather than declining. George Bush and Boris Yeltsin’s START II accord does represent an important step in winding down the U.S.-Soviet nuclear arms race (Fromuth, 1993).
The Nuclear Threat Essay Research Paper The
The Nuclear Threat Essay, Research Paper The United States, once a defender of world peace and an international police power, seems today to be loosening the grip that has in the past prevented so much violence through out the world. At a time when “renegade” nations are arming with nuclear weapons, the Senate has voted not to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, a document that in the President’s words “is critical to protecting the American people from the dangers of nuclear war”.
Nuclear History Essay Research Paper WHAT IS
Nuclear History Essay, Research Paper WHAT IS NUCLEAR ENERGY ? Nuclear energy is made up of tiny atoms. All matter has atoms. One drop of water has one six tillion atoms. It would take one hundred million atoms to equal the length of one centimeter. An atom is mostly empty space. At the center of an atom, there is a nucleus.
Nuclear Power Plants Essay Research Paper Nuclear
Nuclear Power Plants Essay, Research Paper Nuclear Plants The question of whether the U.S. should have nuclear power plants is very controversial. There are two sides that one can take; however, both sides have their own share of problems. If you chose to not have nuclear plants, then eventually all natural resources will run out.
Nuclear Arms Essay Research Paper The United
Nuclear Arms Essay, Research Paper The United States in World War II created nuclear weapons in a secret wartime project. The U.S. spent over $2 billion dollars in 1945 on the project in fear that the Germans might succeed in creating a similar weapon. However the German’s did not seriously pursue the development of the nuclear weapons during World War II.
Nuclear Weapons And World Peace Essay Research
Paper When one looks at the trends of nuclear weapons, it is a very scary idea. Depending on how one views nuclear weapons will influence how the world is perceived in present time. With the massive stockpile of weapons that is in the world, life, as we know it could completely be eliminated.
Fire 2 Essay Research Paper Thousands of
Fire 2 Essay, Research Paper Thousands of years ago human beings learned to make fire. By collecting and burning wood they were able to warm themselves, cook food, and manufacture primitive tools. Later, the Egyptians discovered the principal of the sail. Even more recent was the invention of the water wheel.
Nuclear Medicine Essay Research Paper Nuclear MedicineThere
Nuclear Medicine Essay, Research Paper Nuclear Medicine There are many things to be said about Nuclear Medicine. During the 20th century the world has seen many changes in medicine. One of the most ingenious creations of the century in the health field is Nuclear Medicine and Radiology. It is easily argued that modern medicine is the greatest accomplishment in human history1.
Nuclear Power Plant Essay Research Paper New
Nuclear Power Plant Essay, Research Paper New form of Energy for Capetown Capetown is considered to be the largest city in South Africa, having a population of over 2,727,000 inhabits. The energy form used in Capetown at the moment, is Gas Turbine, wich provides most of the city+s electricity. The use of electricity in Capetown is very low compared to western countries, for example there is only one TV for almost ten people, the energy consumption per inhabit a year is about 4000 kWh, wich is 2550 kWh less than the energy consumption per inhabit a year in Paris, France.
Nuclear Power Plant In Saskatchewan Essay Research
Paper Should There Be A Nuclear Power Plant In Saskatchewan? I think there should be a nuclear power plant built in Saskatchewan because I believe it would contribute to the province a great deal. There is a
Nuclear Terrorism Essay Research Paper Today the
Nuclear Terrorism Essay, Research Paper Today, the terrorists have innumerable opportunities to attack where they want and also, how they want. The reason? Nobody knows, but how would you like if you would be able to put some nuclear stuff in a small box instead of looking for a place where you could drive your wagon full of explosives.
Nucelar Enargy Essay Research Paper nuclear reactornuclear
Nucelar Enargy Essay, Research Paper nuclear reactor nuclear reactor, device for producing NUCLEAR ENERGY by controlled nuclear reactions. It can be used for either research or power production. The reactor is so constructed that the fission of atomic nuclei produces a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, in which the produced neutrons are able to split other nuclei.
Nuclear Power Plants Essay Research Paper Chem
Nuclear Power Plants Essay, Research Paper Chem. Com. Project Lynsey Boggess Nuclear Power has its advantages and disadvantages. However it is a lot safer than most people think. The chances of a meltdown or a radiation leak are extremely small. There are many safety features, which make nuclear power one of the safest electricity sources.
Should The United States Invest More Money
In Renewable Energy Research And Development As Opposed To Fossil And Nuclear Fuels? Essay, Research Paper The United States should invest more money into the research and development of renewable energy. These renewable resources would take the place of fossil fuels, which are non-renewable resources.
Emergence Of The Nuclear Age Essay Research
Paper Emergence of the Nuclear Age I feel the most important issue which I learned in class was of the emergence of the nuclear age. I feel that this is important due to the fact
Nuclear Weapons Essay Research Paper The topic
Nuclear Weapons Essay, Research Paper The topic of nuclear weapons is one that will be around forever. One of my favorite lines from the reading we had was that we cannot uninvent nuclear
The Spread Of Nuclear Weapons More May
Be Better Essay, Research Paper The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: More May Be Better ??????????? Kenneth Waltz, produces an interesting and semi compelling argument for the use of Nuclear weapons as a way of maintaining the
Plutonium Essay Research Paper Plutonium239 an isotope
Plutonium Essay, Research Paper Plutonium-239 (an isotope of plutonium) is used in making nuclear weapons. Plutonium- 238 is used to power equipment on the moon by means of the heat it emits. Plutonium is also used in radionuclide batteries for pacemakers.
Bignerds Essay Research Paper Why nuclear fusion
Bignerds Essay, Research Paper Why nuclear fusion is so cool……. For a fusion reaction to take place, the nuclei, which are positively charged, must have enough kinetic energy to overcome their electrostatic force of repulsion. This can occur either when one nucleus is accelerated to high energies by an accelerating device, or …
Personal Statement Essay Research Paper Personal Statement
Personal Statement Essay, Research Paper Personal Statement: Interests, Experiences, and Goals in Nuclear Engineering Money and fame do not motivate my goals. Engineering in all forms is a field of innovation and invention. Aspirations of any great engineer should be to introduce to the world a new idea, product, or service that will make people happier and the environment safer.
Energy Essay Research Paper The first question
Energy Essay, Research Paper The first question, which I must ask in order to write this essay, is, what is energy? Energy gives us the ability to do thing. Everything in the world needs a supply of energy, and so energy is used to make things work. The word energy is taken from the Greeks and means the work within and nearly all energy originally came from the sun.
Alas Babylon Essay Research Paper Alas Babylon
Alas, Babylon Essay, Research Paper Alas, Babylon Essay In the book Alas, Babylon, the author, Pat Frank, discusses the condition of the human race. Mainly, his view differs from others because rather than write about the countries in a nuclear war, he writes about people living in the countries that are involved in that war.
Nuclear Energy Essay Research Paper Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Energy Essay, Research Paper Nuclear Energy should be produced because it is an alternative to fossil fuel. Nuclear energy helps to conserve our national resources that we use as fuel such as coil, oil, and natural gas. Another pro of nuclear energy is that radiation that is given off by nuclear energy is mostly thought of a very dangerous thing but it can be used in positive ways too.
Pollution Essay Research Paper Pollution What is
Pollution Essay, Research Paper Pollution. What is pollution? According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary pollution is ?the action of polluting esp. by environmental contamination with man-made waste.? The United States runs on power. Much of the United States? powers come from various nuclear power plants all across the country.
Us Affairs Essay Research Paper The US
Us Affairs Essay, Research Paper The U.S. plays a major role in most of the international affairs because the U.S. is considered to be a powerful nation. The Economy of America is strong, and the military power is one of the biggest in the world. There was a Persian Gulf War back in 1991 when the U.S. attacked Iraq.
Energy Essay Research Paper Electricity is the
Energy Essay, Research Paper Electricity is the fuel and catalyst for so many peoples worldwide. What started as an experiment in Edison s laboratory has grown to mammoth proportions as we it today. Nuclear power, introduced in the late 50s, was thought by many to be the answer to all of our energy needs. Both source s developments have pushed humanity to advanced places and beyond the question is how far?