Introduction to nuclear power, Slides of Chemistry

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BY :

AMIT WADEKAR (45)

BHAVESH ITANKAR (49)

PIYUSH PIMPALKAR (85)

Introduction to nuclear power

• Uranium was discovered in 1789 by Martin Klaproth, a German chemist, and named after the planet Uranus.
• 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 bomb
• From 1945 attention was given to harnessing this energy in a controlled fashion for naval propulsion and for making electricity
• Since 1956 the prime focus has been on the technological evolution of reliable nuclear power plants.

Fission Reaction

• A classic example of a fission reaction is that of U-235:
• U-235 + 1 Neutron 2 Neutrons + Kr-92 + Ba- 142 + E
• In this example, a stray neutron strikes an atom of U235. It absorbs the neutron and becomes an unstable atom of U-236. It then undergoes fission. These neutrons can strike other U-235 atoms to initiate their fission.

Fusion Reactions

• A classic example of a fusion reaction is that of deuterium (heavy hydrogen) and tritium which is converted to Helium and release energy. p + p He + n + .42 MeV

How a Nuclear Reactor works

• 235 U fissions by absorbing a neutron and producing 2 to 3 neutrons, which initiate on average one more fission to make a controlled chain reaction
• Normal water is used as a moderator to slow the neutrons since slow neutrons take longer to pass by a U nucleus and have more time to be absorbed
• The protons in the hydrogen in the water have the same mass as the neutron and stop them by a billiard ball effect
• The extra neutrons are taken up by protons to form deuterons
• 235 U is enriched from its 0.7% in nature to about 3% to produce the reaction, and is contained in rods in the water
• Boron control rods are inserted to absorb neutrons when it is time to shut down the reactor
• The hot water is boiled or sent through a heat exchanger to produce steam. The steam then powers turbines.

Nuclear Power Plant

The Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

Indian Nuclear Power Scenario….

RESOURCES

• INDIA HAS 21 NUCLEAR POWER

PLANT.

• IN MAHARASHTRA AT JAITAPUR A

PLANT WITH 9900 MW POWER IS

A HIGHEST POWER GENERATING

PLANT OF INDIA IS UNDER

DEVELOPMENT.

• RESENTLY A PROJECT OVER A

PLANT FACILITATED WITH 6000MW

IN WEST BENGAL IS FACING

PROTIST AND A PIL IS FILED.

LATEST RESEARCHES

• AT BHABHA ATOMIC RESERCH CENTER RESEARCH IS BEING CARRIED OUT TO USE THORIUM AS A CHEAP SOURCE INSTEAD OF URANIUM.

Cost

• More expensive than coal and natural gas, but could be made cheaper with SOME TECHNIQUES.
• New nuclear plants could generate power at $31-$46/MWh
• It would take 3-4 new plants to absorb the the early costs of these new plants

Safety

• Public remains Vary of nuclear power due to Chernobyl and three mile island accidents
• Nuclear plants vulnerable to terrorist attacks
• Safer, more efficient, and more secure plants planned for the future

Creation of Nuclear Waste

• Nuclear waste is generated at all points of

the fuel cycle.

• Front end waste consists primarily of low

level alpha emission waste.

• Service period waste typically includes LLW

and ILW such as contaminated reactor

housings and waste from daily operation.

• Back end waste normally is the most

radioactive and includes spent fuel rods and

reactor cores.

Treatment

• Mid level active waste is commonly treated with ion exchange
• Process reduces the bulk volume of radioactive material.
• Typically, mixed with concrete for a solid storage form.

Economic Advantages

• The energy in one pound of highly enriched Uranium is comparable to that of one million gallons of gasoline.
• One million times as much energy in one pound of Uranium as in one pound of coal.
• Nuclear energy annually prevents 5.1 million tons of sulfur 2.4 million tons of nitrogen oxide 164 metric tons of carbon
• First commercial power plant, England 1956
• 17% of world’s electricity is from nuclear power

Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages
  • Low-cost electricity due to Gov’t subsidies, services, & insurance
  • Provides “baseload” constant power to carry most of the load
  • Clean power without air pollution (no CO 2 ?)
  • Requires highly paid work force (job votes)
  • Source of local taxation revenue
    • Disadvantages
      • Potential for radiation leakage and health effects
      • Possible terrorist target
        • Useful just as threat
      • Apparent cheap power retards renewable energy development

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