1. Chapter 12
Nuclear Energy

2. Introduction to the Nuclear Process
Fission –
nuclear energy released when atom split
Fusion –
nuclear energy released when atoms fused

3. Introduction to the Nuclear Process
Atoms and Radioactivity
Normally: # protons = # neutrons = # electrons
Neutron (0)
Atomic mass = # protons + # neutrons
Nucleus
Electron (-)
Proton (+)
Atomic number = # protons

4. Introduction to the Nuclear Process
Normally, # proton = # electrons = # neutrons
8 P
8 N
Oxygen
6 P
6 N
Carbon
Differing # proton = different atom

5. Introduction to the Nuclear Process
Carbon
If # neutrons > # protons = Isotope
Chemical behavior identical to normal atom.
Many are radioactive

6. Introduction to the Nuclear Process
Common Radioactive Isotopes

7. Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fuel Cycle Uranium tailings
Uranium mines and mills
Depleted uranium tails
U-235 enrichment
Factory wastes
Fabrication of fuel assemblies
Low-level wastes
Nuclear power plant
Spent fuel stored on-site
Spent fuel reprocessing
Deep geological disposal

8. Nuclear Fission

9. Nuclear Fission
How Electricity is Produced from Conventional Nuclear Fission

10. Nuclear Fission
Breeder Nuclear Fission

11. Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy
Impact
Coal
Nuclear
Land use
17,000 ac
1,900 ac
Daily fuel requirement
9,000 tons/day
3 kg/day
Air pollution
Moderate to severe
Low
Radioactive emissions
1 curie
28,000 curies
Risk from catastrophic accidents
Short-term local risk
Long-term risk over large area

12. Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy
Is Electricity Produced by Nuclear Energy Cheap?
Role of government subsidies
The cost of building a nuclear power plant
Fixing technical and safety problems in existing plants

13. Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy
Can Nuclear Energy Decrease Our Reliance on Foreign Oil?
Only 3% of electricity in US generated by oil
Oil primarily used for:
heating buildings
vehicles

14. Safety Issues in Nuclear Power Plants
Probability of major accident low,
but if it occurs, consequences are wide-spread and long-lasting
Major accidents have included:
Three Mile Island
Chornobyl

15. Safety Issues in Nuclear Power Plants
Radioactive fallout from Chornobyl:

16. Safety Issues in Nuclear Power Plants
The Link Between Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Weapons
Can be reprocessed for . . .
Spent fuel from conventional nuclear plant
Fuel for breeder reactor OR
Nuclear weapons

17. Radioactive Wastes Two general types: Low-level radioactive wastes
High-level radioactive wastes

18. Radioactive Wastes
Temporary storage includes above-ground storage casks
Insert Fig a, b

19. Radioactive Wastes
Case-in-Point: Yucca Mountain

20. Radioactive Wastes Other considerations:
High-Level Radioactive Liquid Waste
Radioactive Wastes with Relatively Short Half-Lives
Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants

21. Fusion: Nuclear Energy for the Future?

22. The Future of Nuclear Power
Issues:
Making nuclear power safer
Standardizing power plant designs