Nuclear Reactors Essay, Research Paper
Nuclear Reactors
Using a nuclear reactor is an efficient way to produce large amounts of electricity. Nuclear reactors are used to provide power to a neighboring town or city. In a nuclear reactor, water is heated using nuclear energy to the point that it boils and the steam collects around a collection of spinning blades, called a steam turbine. The pressure from the steam turns these blades, which are connected to a dynamo, or generator. The generator is activated and produces electricity, which is sent to electrical power lines and distributed throughout the community.
The heat needed to create the large amounts of steam is created in the reactor s core. In the core are fuel rods made of stainless steel. These fuel rods contain pellets of U-235. There are also moderators made of carbon or heavy water (H20 and deuterium) which are used to slow down the flow of electrons to the fuel rods. If the electrons are moving slow enough, the neutron reaches the fuel rods containing the U-235 pellets and fission occurs. Fission takes place when an atom s nucleus splits and causes a nuclear reaction. When a free neutron splits a nucleus, energy is released along with other free neutrons. A free neutron from the nucleus that just split splits another nucleus, and so on and so on. This process is called a chain reaction. The fission process is used to create heat, which boils water inside the nuclear reactor. Fission happens while being carefully monitored by a plant manager. If the reaction is getting out of control, ten control rods are used to slow it down. Control rods are made of boron or cadmium stainless steel and easily absorb neutrons, disabling them from heightening the reaction. The insertion and excerption of the control rods into the core is controlled by
the control rod drive mechanism. The entire core is submerged in coolant, a heat absorber, so that it won t overheat.
The extremely hot, high pressured water flows through tubes that are located in the water boiler, where heat exchange occurs between the hot water in the tubes and the cold water in the water boiler. The water in the boiler boils and steam is produced. There is shielding that surrounds the water boiler and core. The internal shielding is made of stainless steel and the external shielding is concrete. This protects the people outside of the shielding from radioactivity and danger.
The steam produced in the water boiler rises and activates the steam turbine and then passes through a condenser. The condenser is a tube within a tube. The inner tube is coming from the steam turbine and the outer tube leads toward the cooling tower. Cooling towers are 55 stories high and cool the water without any pollutant wastes. Cold water is taken from a river and enters the outer tube of the condenser. The hot steam in the inner tube gets cold and condenses into water droplets, finding its way back to the water boiler, where it will be once again turned to steam. The water in the outer tube that was once cold is now warm and follows the tube to the cooling tower, where it falls from platform to platform, cooling with every drop until it reaches the river where it was originally taken from. At this point the water is river water temperature again, so no harm is done to the lake wild life. In past years, there were no cooling towers and the warm water was dispensed back into the river, and some fish such as trout died of due to the unusual fluctuation of water temperature.
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 Energy Essay Research Paper The Present
Nuclear Energy Essay, Research Paper The Present Energy: What’s the Deal?? When dealing with the world’s present sources of energy, the two most popular forms are nuclear and energy by fossil fuels. How long will these supplies last? Are they the most effective? Is it harmful to the environment? All of these questions must be addressed.
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 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.
Global Warming Deforestation Nuclear Waste And Pollution
Essay, Research Paper Q. Discuss some issue of personal, local, or international concern and its importance to you. Through out my high school year I have researched on many issues and all of the issues are important to me. All of the issues are important to me because in a way all of the problems are connected to each other and one problem leads to another.
The Disposal Of Nuclear Waste Essay Research
Paper As we enter the new millenium, the disposal of nuclear waste is a very important factor we must consider for the future generations. Nuclear energy is a very important and dominant as a source of heat energy. It is used to produce steam to drive turbines that generate electricity. Every nuclear plant has its own design, but they each generate heat from nuclear reactors and use this heat to produce steam.
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 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.
The First Reactor Essay Research Paper The
The First Reactor Essay, Research Paper The First Reactor The First Reactor chronicles the conception and implementation of the first self-sustaining nuclear pile. The booklet has three main sections to it. The first one tells of the history and background of the organizations and research that were used for the momentous experiment, as well as the actual proceedings that occurred on December 2, 1942.
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.
Tokaimura Nuclear Accident Essay Research Paper Tokaimura
Tokaimura Nuclear Accident Essay, Research Paper Tokaimura Nuclear Accident To understand what happens in accidents you must first understand how reactors work. All nuclear accidents are unique and are not usually caused by the
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.
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 …
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.
India And Pakistan Conflict Essay Research Paper
India’s nuclear tests are a wake-up call to the world, and particularly to the nuclear weapons states. India’s tests got the world’s attention. The country that was really woken up by these tests was Pakistan. These tests have refueled the conflict between Pakistan and India. The two countries have fought three wars, two of them over the disputed region of Kashmir.
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.
Low Level Waste Essay Research Paper Lowlevel
Low Level Waste Essay, Research Paper Low-level Waste facility Nuclear Fusion, a process in which two light nuclei combine to form a single heavier nucleus. An example of this is the sunrays they are the simplest form of