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Nuclear
Nuclear
Presentation by:
Shri. Bharat V. Makhare
Asst. Engineer,
NTC, Nashik
MAHAGENCO
Economic advantages
The energy in one pound of highly enriched
Uranium is comparable to that of one
million gallons of gasoline.
Emissions Free
Nuclear energy annually prevents
5.1 million tons of sulfur
2.4 million tons of nitrogen oxide
164 metric tons of carbon
Total MW
99,784
58,493
38,875
22,657
19,843
15,755
12,679
11,720
10,002
8,170
Gross
Generation Capacity Availability
(MUs)
Factor (%) Factor (%)
4831
71
76
32863
32455
26472
18803
14927
16930
18634
80
79
71
61
50
54
63
90
91
89
92
82
83
85
Unit
1
2
3
4
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2
3
4
5
6
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2
1
2
3
4
1
2
1
2
1. Nuclear fission
nucleus of atom is split into parts,
produces free neutrons and
energy
U
Uranium
2. Uranium-235
Fission of U-235 splits nucleus
in two pieces
Nuclear Reactors
3. Nuclear Reactor device built
to sustain a controlled nuclear
fission chain reaction
Main Components of Nuclear
Reactor:
- reactor vessel
- tubes of uranium
- control rods
- containment structure
Nuclear Reactors
Basically there are two different
types of nuclear reactors
A Pressurized Water Reactor
(PWR) keeps water under
pressure so that it heats up but
doesnt boil. Water from the
reactor and water that is turned
into steam are in separate pipes
Fission occurs
in the reactor
vessel. Heat is
produced.
The steam is
cooled in the
condenser to
return to the
liquid phase.
The steam is
used to turn the
turbine in the
generator to
produce
electricity
Key Components of
2. Uranium-235
1. nuclear fission
3. nuclear
reactor
4. nuclear power
plant
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Reactions
Nuclear reactions deal with interactions between the nuclei of
atoms including of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
Both fission and fusion processes deal with matter and energy
Fission Reaction
A classic example of a fission reaction is
that of U-235:
U-235 + 1 Neutron
2 Neutrons + Kr-92 + Ba-142 + E
In this example, a stray neutron strikes
an atom of U235. It absorbs the
neutron and becomes an unstable atom
of U-236. It then undergoes fission.
These neutrons can strike other U-235
atoms to initiate their fission.
E = mc
Fusion Reactions
A classic example of a fusion reaction is that of deuterium
(heavy hydrogen) and tritium which is converted to Helium
and release energy.
p+p
He + n + .42 MeV
Nuclear reaction
Chain reaction occurs when a Uranium
atom splits
Different reactions
Atomic Bomb in a split second
Nuclear Power Reactor more controlled,
cannot explode like a bomb
Nuclear Reaction
NUCLEAR REACTION
U235 + n fission + 2 or 3 n + 200 MeV
If each neutron releases two more neutrons, then the number of
NUCLEAR FUEL
Nuclear fuel is any material that can be consumed to
derive nuclear energy. The most common type of
nuclear fuel is fissile elements that can be made to
Uranium enrichment
U-235
Fissionable at 3%
Weapons grade at 90%
U-238
More stable
Plutonium-239
Created from U-238; highly radioactive
Radioactivity of plutonium
Life span of least
240,000 years
Last Ice Age glaciation
was 10,000 years ago
Neanderthal Man died out
30,000 years ago
NUCLEAR REACTOR
A nuclear reactor is a device in which nuclear chain
reactions are initiated, controlled, and sustained at a
CONTROL RODS
Control rods made of a material that absorbs
neutrtons are inserted into the bundle using a
mechanism that can rise or lower the control rods.
The control rods essentially contain neutron absorbers
In a nuclear power station the uranium is first formed into pellets and
then into long rods. The uranium rods are kept cool by submerging
them in water. When they are removed from the water a nuclear
reaction takes place causing heat. The amount of heat required is
controlled by raising and lowering the rods. If more heat is required
the rods are raised further out of the water and if less is needed they
lower further into it.
STEAM GENERATORS
Steam generators are heat exchangers used to
convert water into steam from heat produced in a
coolant.
STEAM TURBINE
A steam turbine is a mechanical device that extracts
thermal energy from pressurized steam, and converts it
COOLANT PUMP
The coolant pump pressurizes the coolant to pressures
of the orderof 155bar.
unit.
FEED PUMP
Steam coming out of the turbine, flows through the
condenser for condensation and recirculated for the next
cycle of operation.
The feed pump circulates the condensed water in the
CONDENSER
Condenser is a device or unit which is used to
COOLING TOWER
Cooling towers are heat removal devices used to
transfer process waste heat to the atmosphere.
Water circulating through the condenser is
taken to the cooling tower for cooling and reuse
Nuclear Reactor
235U
Breeder reactor
Breeds plutonium as it operates
Uses liquid sodium metal instead of water for coolant
Could explode if in contact with air or water
Reprocessing
Separates reusable fuel from waste
Large amounts of radioactivity released
Yucca
Mountain
Transportation
risks
Uranium oxide spills
Fuel rod spills (WI 1981)
International Thermonuclear
Experimental Reactor (ITER)
ADVANTAGES
Nuclear power generation does emit relatively low
amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2). The emissions of
green house gases and therefore the contribution of
nuclear power plants to global warming is therefore
relatively little.
This technology is readily available, it does not have
to be developed first.
DISADVANTAGES
The problem of radioactive waste is still an unsolved
one.
High risks: It is technically impossible to build a plant
with 100% security.
DISADVANTAGES
Nuclear power plants as well as nuclear waste could