Nuclear Energy

• Nuclear energy is the energy in the nucleus of an

atom.
• Atoms are the smallest particles that can break a
material. At the core of each atom there are two
types of particles (neutrons and protons) that are
held together. Nuclear energy is the energy that
holds neutrons and protons.
NUCLEAR REACTOR
 USES OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
1. Nuclear medicine
Radiopharmaceuticals are used, such as radiotherapy
for the treatment of malignant tumors, teletherapy
for oncological treatment or radiological biology that
allows the sterilization of medical products
2. To Generate Electricity
 Status of Nuclear Energy
• A Nuclear-Powered World. Nuclear power plants generate
14 percent of the world's electricity, but some countries
are more dependent on this power source than others.
France relies on nuclear for 75.2 percent of its electricity;
the United States, about 20 percent.(2011)

As of March 2018, India has 22 nuclear reactors in

operation in 7 nuclear power plants, with a total installed
capacity of 6,780 MW. Nuclear power produced a total of
35 TWh and supplied 3.22% of Indian electricity in 2017.

7 more reactors are under construction with a combined

generation capacity of 4,300 MW.
Nuclear power Plants in India
 Pros and Cons of Nuclear Energy
Advantages
• Plentiful fuel – 80 years of fuel (Jaduguda mines, Jharkhand) followed by
Thorium.
• Cheap as compared to coal : Energy released is 10 million times greater than
the amount released in burning a fossil fuel atom. (1 kilogram of Uranium-
235 can generate over 24 million kilowatts of electricity. In comparison, 1
kilogram of coal generates about 8 kilowatts of electricity).
• Efficient Power Production
• Reliable (Most nuclear reactors are designed to operate for more than 40
years. Most of the reactors are nearing that age in perfect condition and
projections are that they could still operate for another 20 years).
• No Green House gases like methane and CO2,therefore no Global warming.
India emits about 3 gigatonnes (Gt) of greenhouse gases each year.
• No poisonous emissions
• Non Polluting, cleaner fuel. Envtl. Impacts are relatively lighter.
• Electricity production can be lowered when good wind & solar energy is
available and vice-versa.
• Dumping of waste in deep seas, less harmful as compared to coal where
Disadvantages
• Difficult to deal with Nuclear waste, a potential threat to
Humans and Environment. They have to be isolated from
human contact for up to a million years. any container or
waste package will likely corrode and radioactive materials
will percolate and contaminate ground water sources. France
and sweden like countries have good technologies.
Public resistance has halted multiple proposals to set up sites
to bury nuclear waste in several countries.
• Possibility of major accident/accidents : Estimates conclude
that somewhere between 15 000 and 30 000 people lost their
lives in the Chernobyl aftermath and more than 2.5 million
Ukrainians are still struggling.
• The atomic bombs’ immediate effects devastated both cities
(Hiroshima and Nagasaki) killed between 150,000 and
246,000.
• Expensive to build the Power Plant- 17000 Cr, 22,000 Cr,
• Construction cost of a Thermal Power Plant is 200 crs
depending upon capacity generation.
• Possibility of stealing by terrorists :They could steal a bomb,
build one, attack a nuclear facility, or make a “dirty bomb” from
stolen radioactive material. Each year, more than 100 thefts
and incidents involving radioactive materials are reported.
 Nuclear Accidents
• Hiroshima and Nagasaki bomb dropping 1945
• Chernobyl Disaster 1986 (Ukraine)
• Three Mile Island Accident 1979
(Pennsylvania)
• Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident 2011
 Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster
• The Chernobyl disaster, also referred to as
the Chernobyl accident, was a catastrophic nuclear
accident. It occurred on 25–26 April 1986 in the No.
4 light water graphite moderated reactor at
the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
• The event occurred during a late-night safety test
which simulated a station blackout power-failure, in
the course of which safety systems were intentionally
turned off. A combination of inherent reactor design
flaws and the reactor operators arranging the core in
a manner contrary to the checklist for the test,
eventually resulted in uncontrolled reaction
conditions. Water flashed into steam generating a
destructive steam explosion and a subsequent open-
air graphite fire.
Image of the
disaster

Approximately fourteen radiation

induced cancer deaths among this
group of 134 hospitalized survivors,
were to follow within the next ten
years (1996). Among the wider
population, an excess of 15
childhood thyroid cancer deaths were
documented as of 2011. It will take
further time and investigation to
definitely determine the
elevated relative risk of cancer among
the surviving employees, and the
population at large.
 Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster
What are Genetic Mutations?
• This means that the genes you have that are given to
you by your parents. At times, circumstances out of our
control can have an effect on us. This is the case with
Chernobyl human mutations.
• If the DNA is damaged and attempts to repair it are not
made or are unsuccessful, this can affect the DNA of
your offspring. Some parts can be added or some
parts can be deleted causing birth defects and other
malformations. Problems with organs in the body and
other systems such as the immune system may develop
Read more at:
https://chernobylguide.com/chernobyl_mutations/
• There are different types of genetic mutations such as
substitution which takes the place of another.
• An insertion is when a person has something
additional such as a chromosome more in the DNA.
• A deletion is when something is missing. An example
would be one chromosome less.
• When DNA does not duplicate properly, it can result in
a mutation in your offspring and other generations.
• Normally cells divide, making an identical copy but
sometimes this doesn’t occur the right way leading to
physical changes.
Read more at:
https://chernobylguide.com/chernobyl_mutations/
 Impacts of a Nuclear Accidents
• Direct damage by fires and explosions.
• Cancer ( Leukemia) among Plant workers and surrounding
Population (EX. Kakrapara in Tamil Nadu).
• Birth defects and other abnormalities depending on the amount
and duration of exposure
• Damage to intestinal tract may cause bloody vomiting and nausea.
• Radiation may damage DNA (dividing cells) and may damage brain
cells also.
• Radiation exposure may cause genetic changes and mutations.
• Thyroid cancer : Ex. After Ukraine disaster 6000 people got thyroid
cancer after drinking contaminated milk as children.
• Sheep and mushroom were not allowed to eat after Ukraine
disaster.
• Mental Problems likes depression and Post traumatic stress
disorder – Higher in evacuees than general population and also are
long-lasting and difficult to manage.
Genetic Mutations in Humans and
Animals
The Chernobyl accident is
considered the most disastrous
nuclear power plant accident in
history, both in terms of cost and
casualties. It is one of only two
nuclear energy accidents
classified as a level 7 event (the
maximum classification) on
the International Nuclear Event
Scale, the other being
the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear
disasterin Japan in 2011.
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster,2011
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster, Japan 2011
• In July 2012, 36 percent of Japanese children
screened were found to have abnormal
thyroid growths.
• This fall, an illness dubbed the “Fukushima
syndrome” was reported to be killing cattle
near the Fukushima prefecture.
• Mutations are already observed
in butterflies and other insects, whose
shorter life cycles allow genetic disruptions to
display more quickly than in mammals or
humans.