Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is a power that is released from atoms and is the most powerful source of
energy.
Fission: In atomic fission energy is released when atoms splits up into small substances.
Fusion: In atomic fusion, energy is released when atoms are joined together to form a
bigger atom that releases energy

Both processes use heat energy to generate the electricity. Fission is more common.
Pakistan is also utilizing nuclear energy for electricity generation. Two nuclear power
plants have been established in Pakistan.

Karachi Nuclear Power Plant

The Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) was commissioned in 1971 and was built
with the help of Canadian aid. Although its installed capacity is 137 MW, the supply has
greatly fluctuated owing to technical problems.

Chashma Nuclear Power Plant

This plant was commissioned in 1999 with an installed capacity of 300 MW and is also
called as ChasNUPP. It was established with the help of Pakistan Atomic Energy
Commission and China National Nuclear Corporation.

Factors Needed for Commissioning Nuclear Power Plant

1. Requires qualified man power.
2. Required advance technology.
3. Required advance facilities.
4. Availability of raw material (Uranium, polonium)
Uranium is a very important element because it provides us with nuclear fuel used to
generate electricity in nuclear power stations.

Polonium- a radioactive metal, more radioactive then Uranium.

Advantages
1. Large output.
2. Reliable.
3. Small input of raw material

4. Less pollution / environment friendly. Unlike fossil fuel-

fired power plants, nuclear reactors do not produce air pollution or carbon dioxide.

5. Less chances of accidents in nuclear power plant.

6. Less chances of Green House effect.

7. Pakistan is deficient in fossils fuels so nuclear energy can solve the energy problem.
Disadvantages
1. The fuel rods in reactors produce dangerous rays. People exposed to the rays get
cancer and their children can be born deformed.

2. Expensive to buy and build.

3. Nuclear waste can remain radioactive for many years. There are problems
with reprocessing nuclear waste.

4. Lack of technology.

5. Risk of terrorism.

6. Use for bombs.

 Energy is produced by Fission , atoms are split using metal Uranium in a Nuclear
Reactor.

 A great deal of Heat/ energy is released.

 Energy is used to heat the water in a reactor to produce steam.

 This steam than powers the turbine and generates electricity.

  The radiation shield around the reactor is made of concrete and up to 4 meter thick to
protect worker from the dangerous radiation.

 Uranium is a metallic mineral which occurs in sand stone as coating on grains and
pebbles.

 In Pakistan uranium is found in Suleman Range (Balochistan), Dera Ghazi

khan(PUNJAB) and Dera Ismail Khan (KPK)

EXPLAIN HOW ELECTRICITY IS GENERATED IN A NUCLEAR POWER STATION ?

Answer: During the process of fission, when uranium atoms split, energy is released. This
energy is used to heat the water in a reactor to produce steam. This steam then powers the
turbines to produce electricity.
The radiation shield around the reactor is made of concrete and up to 4m thick to protect
workers from dangerous radiation.