ECOL 1000 1nd Edition Lecture 15Outline of Last Lecture I. Test Outline of Current Lecture II. Nuclear EnergyIII. Problems with Nuclear PowerIV. Disposal of Nuclear WasteCurrent Lecture- Nuclear energy comes in 2 forms: fission and fusiono Fission: breaking apart Atoms bombarded with neutrons which breaks atom into 2 smaller pieces whichreleases energy and more neutrons Chain reaction Uranium is bombarded with neutrons, starting a chain reaction Heat transforms water into steam which powers turbines that generate electricityo Fusion: joining together Fuse hydrogen isotopes together results in helium, energy, and neutron No toxic byproducts Not practically feasible at this time- Uranium ore is mined and concentrated into yellowcake, then processed into pellets- Pellets are placed into fuel rods-grouped together called fuel assemblies- Nuclear reaction is controlled by inserting control rods into the fuel assemblies to absorb neutronso Control rods slow the reaction - The reactor core is constantly cooled by circulating water These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.- Containment building prevents accidental release of radioactive material - Problems with nuclear powero Cost-it takes billions of dollars to build new plantso Waste produced during mining-mine tailings Contaiminates watero Waste heat from reactors-especially once-through cooled systems Must release heat into the environment Back into the water or as steam Some power systems have water that goes in circulates once and then goes backouto Water use-800-2000 gallons per megawatt houro Waste produced from reactor Periodic replacement of fuel rods Spent fuel rod storage in water filled pool at reactor site still emit energy USA-65,000 metric tons of spent fuel 75% stored in pools- Disposal of nuclear wasteo Cooled rods can be transported for reprocessing or disposal-that’s what they do in France USA doesn’t want to do that because a byproduct is plutonium-a major source of nuclear weaponso Reprocessed fuel rods must be stored for 10,000 yearso No commercial reprocessing areas exist in the
View Full Document
Unlocking...