Nuclear Energy

The Nearest Nuclear Power Plant DTE Fermi II is just about 40 miles from us.

Where are the nuclear power plant? (data 2008)

Nuclear Energy in Perspective Worldwide: 430 commercial nuclear power reactors in 31 countries Providing over 11% electricity of the world In US: 104 nuclear reactors Providing over 19% total electric output

Electricity generated by nuclear power ( )

Compare to other energy sources

How Nuclear Power Works From mass to energy: Use nuclear fission (splitting) reaction Split uranium fuel Loss of mass is converted to energy: E = mc 2

The Nuclear Reactor Four main parts: The uranium fuel assemblies The control rods The coolant/moderator The pressure vessel: surround the core Reactor Core

Step-by-step Nuclear Power Formation

1.Fuel is loaded into the reactor 2.The fission reaction starts – atoms of fuel split and release energy, neutrons and other products 3.Control rods are used to control the reaction 4.Water circulates to collect heat 5.The heat is transferred to a second closed loop of water to produce steam 6.The steam moves the vanes on the turbine 7.Generator starts spinning 8.Electricity is produced

Benefits of Nuclear Energy Environmental advantages Less fuel mining: 30 tons of enriched uranium from mining 75,000 tons of ore 1 lb of uranium fuel = 50 tons of coal No emission of CO 2, SO 2, and other pollutants Low level of radioactivity produced Less solid waste

Risks and Problems Safe storage and disposal of radioactive wastes Economic problems: High cost in maintenance Shorter-than-expected lifetime for nuclear power plant High cost to close down or decommission a nuclear power plant Risk of radioactive accidents – widespread, long-lasting health and environmental problems LOCA (loss-of-coolant accident): resulting in core overheating  core damage (meltdown)  steam explosion & radioactive leakage