The Fires of Nuclear Fission

What Are the Advantages and

Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy?
• Nuclear power has a low environmental
impact and a very low accident risk, but
high costs, a low net energy yield, long-
lived radioactive wastes, vulnerability to
sabotage, and the potential for spreading
nuclear weapons technology have limited
its use.
 Questions to be answered today
1. What are the steps to using nuclear fission to
generate electricity?
2. Advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear
fission as a power source?
3. Why are Japan’s reactors in trouble?
4. Compare Chernobyl to Japan’s current situation!
4-meter-tall sculpture of Einstein's 1905 E = mc2 formula at the 2006 Walk of
Ideas, Berlin, Germany
 The Marvelous Nuclear Power
• What is nuclear power? Nuclear power plants
run on the principle of nuclear fission:
The process of splitting a large nucleus into
smaller ones, usually by bombarding the
target nucleus with neutrons.
• Important to be noted; The products of this
reaction actually possess slightly less mass
than the reactants.
If we accept that mass can be converted into energy –
which is to say that mass is just another form of energy
– there must be a way to express that conversion.
The Einstein Equation:
E = mc 2

Energy = mass x (speed of light)2

Note the units here... c is a large number!

(3.0 x 108 m/s)2 = 9.0 x 1016 m2/s2
1 Joule = 1 kg m2/s2

Small changes in mass make for HUGE changes in

energy.
Let’s take a specific example:
The fission of Uranium-235
Recall that atoms can exist as different isotopes, each of
which must contain the same number of protons as
each other, but which contain a different number of
neutrons.

Protons = atomic number, this defines the element.

Neutrons, together with protons, make up the mass of
the nucleus.
• Uranium (element number 92) has several isotopes,
and U-235 has a mass number of 235, written:
235
92 U
• In order for Uranium-235 to undergo fission, it must
be struck by a neutron.
• A bare neutron has no protons, but a mass number of
one, and can thus be written:
1
0 n
• Uranium nucleus undergoes fission, breaking apart
into smaller nuclei. One such reaction is:
235
92U  n Ba  Kr 3 n
1
0
141
56
92
36
1
0

• Note that we put one neutron in, and got three out –
and those three are important! They will initiate a
chain reaction.
•A chain reaction is one in which the
products of an initial step undergo
further reaction.
•Here, the three neutrons emitted by
the fission process can strike other
nearby U-235 atoms, and induce fission
in them.
•... Producing more neutrons, which
can go on to strike more nearby U-235
atoms...
•An important concept with regard to
chain reactions is that of critical mass;
The amount of fissionable material
which is necessary to sustain the chain
reaction. For U-235, this is 15 kg; If 15
kg of U-235 is contained in the same
place, it will undergo spontaneous
fission. This is the principle behind
nuclear bombs.
• Recall:
235
92U  n Ba  Kr 3 n
1
0
141
56
92
36
1
0

• If the mass numbers on both sides are equal, where is

the energy coming from?
• Recall that the actual mass of a nucleus is not simply
the mass number.
 235
92 U  n Ba  Kr 3 n
1
0
141
56
92
36
1
0

• In fact, an atom of U-235 weighs 235.043924 amu.

• An atom of Kr-92 weighs 91.926156 amu.
• An atom of Ba-141 weighs 140.914412 amu.
• A neutron weighs 1.00866 amu.
• So, the reactants weigh 236.052584 amu.
• The products weigh 235.866548 amu.
• Over the course of this reaction, 0.186036 amu of
matter is converted into energy.
 235
92U  n Ba  Kr 3 n
1
0
141
56
92
36
1
0

• Over the course of this reaction, 0.186036 amu of

matter is converted into energy.
• That’s about 1/1000th of the total mass.
• How much energy is produced from the fission of 1 kg
of U-235?
E = mc2 = [(1/1000)(1 kg)](9.0x1016 m2/s2)
= 9.0 x 1013 Joules!
• This is the same amount of energy as from 33,000
tons of TNT, or 3300 tons of coal.
 What are the steps to
using the massive energy
of nuclear fission to
generate electricity?
How Does a Nuclear Fission Reactor Work? (1)

• Controlled nuclear fission reaction in a reactor

– Light-water reactors.
• Fueled by uranium ore and packed as pellets
in fuel rods and fuel assemblies.
• Control rods absorb neutrons.
How Does a Nuclear Fission Reactor Work? (2)

• Water is the usual coolant.

• Containment shell around the core for
protection.
• Water-filled pools or dry casks for storage of
radioactive spent fuel rod assemblies.
 Light water reactors
• 85% of world’s nuclear generated electricity
(100% in US).
• High inefficient in terms of energy conversion (up
to 83% lost as waste heat).
• There are three varieties of light water reactors:
the pressurized water reactor (PWR), the boiling
water reactor (BWR), and (most designs of) the
supercritical water reactor (SCWR).
The Koeberg nuclear power station located in South Africa, consisting of two
pressurized water reactors fueled with uranium.
The Palo Verde nuclear generating station located in Wintersburg, Arizona, about
45 miles (80 km) west of central Phoenix. It is the largest nuclear generation
facility in the United States, averaging over 3.3 gigawatts (GW) of electrical power
production in 2008 to serve approximately 4 million people.
 Nuclear fuel
• Made from uranium ore.
• Enriched to 3% of radioactive isotope U-235.
• Made into pellets, size of pencil, energy
equivalent to 1 ton of coal.
• Pellets are packed into large pipes-fuel rods.
• Rods are grouped together into fuel assemblies,
these assemblies are placed into reactor core.
 (Left) A typical
nuclear fuel pellet.

(Right) Nuclear fuel pellets

that are ready for fuel
assembly completion.
 Controlling the reaction
• Control rods placed between rods.
• Control rods moved in and out of the assemblies,
absorbing neutrons which trigger the chain
reaction.
• Water circulates through the assemblies,
removing the heat, keeping the rods from
melting.
A pressurized water reactor head, with the control rods visible on the top.
What happens if there
is no water?
 How nuclear reactors generate
electricity
• Superheated water turns into steam.
• Steam passed through turbine.
• Physical motion of the turbine is converted into
electrical energy.
A typical Light-Water-Moderated
and -Cooled Nuclear Power Plant
with Water Reactor.
 Steam from Nuclear power plants
• Superheated water after used in the turbines
goes into a condenser.
• Condenser requires cold water source which is
why most plants are located next to water.
• Pipes with the hot water are circulated through a
container filled with cold water , heat is
exchanged.
• Hot water is either discharged into river, ocean…
or vented into the atmosphere as steam.
 Spent Fuel rods
• After about 3-4 years of use, the Fuel rods
become spent-level of fission drops beneath a
certain level.
• Rods are taken out of reactor stored nearby in
water filled pools or dry casks.
• Stored until they cool down enough to be
shipped for permanent storage or to be recycled.
• These storage facilities are next to the reactor
plants, vulnerable to terrorist attack or accidents.
 Spent fuel reprocessing
The spent fuel rods are sent to a facility which separates
plutonium from spent fuel for further use as a new generation
of fuel or as material used to make atomic weapons.
1.First the fuel is chopped up, by remote control, behind heavy
lead shielding.
2.These chopped-up pieces are then dissolved in boiling nitric
acid, releasing radioactive gases in the process.
3.The plutonium is separated from the acid solution by chemical
means, leaving large quantities of high-level radioactive liquid
waste and sludge behind.
4.After it has cooled down for several years, this liquid waste will
have to be solidified for ultimate disposal, while the separated
plutonium is fabricated into nuclear fuel or nuclear weapons.
After 3 or 4 Years in a Reactor, Spent Fuel Rods
Are Removed and Stored in Water
 What Is the Nuclear Fuel Cycle?
• Mine the uranium.
• Process the uranium to make the fuel.
• Use it in the reactor.
• Safely store the radioactive waste.
• Decommission the reactor.
 Fuel assemblies Decommissioning of
reactor

Enrichment of Reactor
UF6 Fuel fabrication
(conversion of enriched UF6 to UO
to UO2 and fabrication of fuel Temporary storage of spent
assemblies) fuel assemblies underwater or
Conversion of Uranium-235 as UF6 in dry casks
U3O8 Plutonium-239 as PuO2
Spent fuel
to UF6
reprocessing

Low-level radiation with

long half-life

Geologic disposal of
moderate- and high-
level radioactive
wastes

Open fuel cycle today

Recycling of nuclear fuel
 What Happened to Nuclear Power?
• Slowest-growing energy source and expected to
decline more.
• Why?
– Economics.
– Poor management.
– Low net yield of energy of the nuclear fuel
cycle.
– Safety concerns.
– Need for greater government subsidies.
– Concerns of transporting uranium.
 Worst Commercial Nuclear Power
Plant Accident in the U.S.
• Three Mile Island
– March 29, 1979.
– Near Harrisburg, PA, U.S.
– Nuclear reactor lost its coolant.
– Led to a partial uncovering and melting of the radioactive
core.
– Unknown amounts of radioactivity escaped.
– People fled the area.
– Increased public concerns for safety.
• Led to improved safety regulations in the U.S.
Viewed from the west, Three Mile Island currently uses only one nuclear
generating station, TMI-1, which is on the left. TMI-2, to the right, has not
been used since the accident. Note that this is a pre-accident photo taken
when TMI-2 was in operation.
 Worst Nuclear Power Plant Accident
in the World
• Chernobyl
– April 26, 1986.
– In Chernobyl, Ukraine.
– Series of explosions caused the roof of a reactor building
to blow off.
– Partial meltdown and fire for 10 days.
– Huge radioactive cloud spread over many countries and
eventually the world.
– 350,000 people left their homes.
– Effects on human health, water supply, and agriculture.
Remains of a Nuclear Reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear
Power Plant.
Aerial view of the damaged
core on May 3, 1986. Roof of
the turbine hall is damaged
(image center). Roof of the
adjacent reactor 3 (image
lower left) shows minor fire
damage.
The nuclear reactor after the
disaster. Reactor 4 (center).
Turbine building (lower left).
Reactor 3 (center right).
The abandoned city of Pripyat with Chernobyl plant in the distance.
Human casualties
• 56 people lost their lives as a direct result of radiation
poisoning or fire.
• Thyroid cancer From drinking Milk 10-12 thousand.
Recent Nuclear Power Plant Accident
in the World
• Fukushima
– March 11, 2011.
– In Fukushima, Japan.
– A series of ongoing equipment failures and releases of
radioactive materials at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power
Plant, following the 9.0 magnitude Tohoku earthquake and
tsunami on 11 March 2011. Partial meltdown and fire for
10 days.
– Experts consider it to be the second largest nuclear
accident after the Chernobyl disaster, but more complex
as multiple reactors are involved.
Unit 1 of Fukushima Reactors before the explosion. The join can be seen
between the lower concrete building and upper lighter cladding which was
blown away in the explosion. The trees and lamp posts indicate its size.
Satellite image on 16 March of the four damaged reactor buildings.
Reactor unit 3 (right) and unit 4 (left) on 16 March.
Fukushima I Power Plant; Series
of destruction.
Nuclear Power Has
Advantages and
Disadvantages
 TRADE-OFFS
Conventional Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Advantages Disadvantages
Large fuel supply Cannot compete
economically without huge
Low environmental impact government subsidies
(without accidents)
Low net energy yield
High environmental impact
Emits 1/6 as much CO2 as (with major accidents)
coal
Moderate land disruption Environmental costs not
and water pollution included in market price
(without accidents) Risk of catastrophic accidents

Moderate land use No widely acceptable solution

Low risk of accidents for long-term storage of
because of multiple radioactive wastes
safety systems (except
for Chernobyl-type Subject to terrorist attacks
reactors) Spreads knowledge and
technology for building
nuclear weapons
 TRADE-OFFS
Coal vs. Nuclear
Coal Nuclear
Ample supply Ample supply of
uranium
High net energy yield
Low net energy yield
Very high air
pollution Low air pollution

High CO2 emissions Low CO2 emissions

Much lower land

High land disruption
disruption from
from surface mining
surface mining

High land use Moderate land use

Low cost (with huge High cost (even with huge

subsidies) subsidies)

Fig. 15-22, p. 392

Nuclear Power Plants Are Vulnerable
to Terrorists Acts
• Explosions or meltdowns possible at the
power plants.
• Storage pools and casks are more vulnerable
to attack.
• 60 countries have or have the ability to build
nuclear weapons.
Dealing with Radioactive Wastes Produced by
Nuclear Power Is a Difficult Problem
• High-level radioactive wastes
– Must be stored safely for 10,000–240,000 years.
• Where to store it?
– Deep burial: safest and cheapest option.
– Transportation concerns.
– Would any method of burial last long enough?
– There is still no facility: NIMBY scenario.
• Can the harmful isotopes be changed into
harmless isotopes? (working on it, $$$).
 What Do We Do with Worn-Out
Nuclear Power Plants?
• Decommission or retire the power plant.
• Some options:
– Dismantle the plant and safely store the
radioactive materials.
– Enclose the plant behind a physical barrier with
full-time security until a storage facility has been
built.
– Enclose the plant in a tomb and monitor this for
thousands of years.
 Can Nuclear Power Lessen Dependence
on Imported Oil, Reduce Global Warming?
• Nuclear power plants: no CO2 emission.
• Nuclear fuel cycle: emits CO2.
• Opposing views on nuclear power and global
warming:
– Nuclear power advocates.
– 2003 study by MIT researchers.
– 2007: Oxford Research Group.
Experts Disagree about the Future of
Nuclear Power
• Proponents of nuclear power:
– Fund more research and development.
– Pilot-plant testing of potentially cheaper and safer
reactors.
– Test breeder fission and nuclear fusion.
• Opponents of nuclear power:
– Fund rapid development of energy efficient and
renewable energy resources.
 Will Nuclear FUSION Save Us?
• “Nuclear fusion is the power of the future and
always will be”.
• Still in the laboratory phase after 50 years of
research and $34 billion dollars.
• 2006: U.S., China, Russia, Japan, South Korea,
and European Union;
– Will build a large-scale experimental
nuclear fusion reactor by 2040.
With great power comes great responsibility