Naval Nuclear Power

MM1(SS) Ryan ReedMM1(SS) Ryan Reed

Nuclear Field CoordinatorNuclear Field Coordinator

NRD MichiganNRD Michigan

POWER GENERATION BREAKDOWN 55% COAL55% COAL 22% NUCLEAR22% NUCLEAR 10% NATURAL 10% NATURAL

GASGAS 9% HYDRO9% HYDRO 3% PETROL.3% PETROL. 1% SOLAR, WIND, 1% SOLAR, WIND,

BIOMASS, BIOMASS, GEOTHERMALGEOTHERMAL

0102030405060708090

100

What is nuclear power?

Extracting usable energy from atomic Extracting usable energy from atomic nuclei via controlled nuclear nuclei via controlled nuclear

reactions.reactions.

History

Fission experimentally achieved by Enrico Fission experimentally achieved by Enrico Fermi in 1934 by bombarding uranium with Fermi in 1934 by bombarding uranium with neutrons.neutrons.

First nuclear power plant used for civil First nuclear power plant used for civil purpose was launched in 1954purpose was launched in 1954

The Navy’s first nuclear powered ship USS The Navy’s first nuclear powered ship USS Nautilus was put to sea in 1955Nautilus was put to sea in 1955

So why would the Navy want to use Nuclear Power? EfficiencyEfficiency Zero emissionsZero emissions LongevityLongevity

ENERGY EQUIVALENCY

CONS OF FOSSIL FUEL SOURCES COALCOAL NATURAL GASNATURAL GAS OILOIL

PROS & CONS OF RENEWABLE SOURCES SOLARSOLAR WINDWIND BIO-MASSBIO-MASS GEO-THERMALGEO-THERMAL

Coal vs. Nuclear Power

How long can one pound of coal light one How long can one pound of coal light one 100 watt light bulb, once all of its energy 100 watt light bulb, once all of its energy is converted to electricity?is converted to electricity?

Approximately 9 hoursApproximately 9 hours

How long can one pound of uranium How long can one pound of uranium light the same bulb?light the same bulb?

3,000 YEARS!!!!!

Nuclear power plants use a series of physical barriers to make sure radioactive material cannot escape. In today’s water-cooled reactors, the first barrier is the fuel itself: the solid ceramic uranium pellets.

The pellets are sealed in zirconium rods.

Why do you think the Navy takes advantage of this technology?

Prior to this, submarines relied on diesel Prior to this, submarines relied on diesel generators to charge the ships batteries. This generators to charge the ships batteries. This limited the submarine submergence time to a limited the submarine submergence time to a maximum of 12 hours before it would have to maximum of 12 hours before it would have to resurface and recharge. Today, submarines have resurface and recharge. Today, submarines have the ability to stay submerged and perform the ability to stay submerged and perform several types of missions without being detected several types of missions without being detected for up to 90 days (limited on food and for up to 90 days (limited on food and supplies)!!supplies)!!

Longevity

Navy’s nuclear ships can run for decades Navy’s nuclear ships can run for decades without refueling.without refueling.

Allowing our submarines to remain Allowing our submarines to remain submerged, and aircraft carriers to stay on submerged, and aircraft carriers to stay on station without having to return to port to station without having to return to port to refuel.refuel.

Why can an atom produce so much energy? First, consider the type of reaction that is First, consider the type of reaction that is

taking place?taking place? Second, what are the individual particles Second, what are the individual particles

that make-up the atom? that make-up the atom? Which particles are in the nucleus and what Which particles are in the nucleus and what

electrical charge do they possess?electrical charge do they possess? What holds the nucleus together?What holds the nucleus together?

Nuclear Physics“Nuclear Strongforce”

The nucleus always has a smaller total mass than the The nucleus always has a smaller total mass than the sum of its component masses. sum of its component masses.

That is if you weighed the protons and neutrons That is if you weighed the protons and neutrons individually they would weigh a total of 235 atomic individually they would weigh a total of 235 atomic mass units.mass units.

However, when grouped to form the nucleus some of However, when grouped to form the nucleus some of the mass is converted to energy (nuclear strongforce) the mass is converted to energy (nuclear strongforce) holding it together which makes it weigh less.holding it together which makes it weigh less.

This is derived from: This is derived from:

E = mcE = mc22

Nuclear Physics“Fission”

What causes fission to occur?What causes fission to occur?

Nuclear Physics“Fission”

Addition of a neutron to the nucleus, causes Addition of a neutron to the nucleus, causes it to become unstable. In order for the it to become unstable. In order for the nucleus to reach stability again, it fissions nucleus to reach stability again, it fissions (breaks apart) releasing the energy (nuclear (breaks apart) releasing the energy (nuclear strongforce) in the form heat.strongforce) in the form heat.

Also, 2 to 3 more neutrons are released.Also, 2 to 3 more neutrons are released.

Basic fission reaction

92 U235

+1

n0 92 U236 *

54

134Xe +

38

100Sr +

0

1n + E

0n

1+

Nuclear Physics“Fission” Are the neutrons “born” from fission Are the neutrons “born” from fission

important?important? Yes! Yes! They go on to cause more fissions to keep They go on to cause more fissions to keep

the chain reaction continuing.the chain reaction continuing.

Basic Nuclear Reaction (Fission)Basic Nuclear Reaction (Fission)

U 235U 235

XenonXenon

StrontiumStrontium

= Neutron= Neutron

U 235U 235

U 235U 235

XenonXenon

StrontiumStrontium

= energy released (heat)= energy released (heat) = Fission Products= Fission Products

XenonXenon

StrontiumStrontium

Nuclear Physics

If one neutron produces one fission and three If one neutron produces one fission and three neutrons are “born” and they cause three fissions to neutrons are “born” and they cause three fissions to occur how many do we having at the beginning of occur how many do we having at the beginning of the third generation?the third generation?

99 Fourth and so on?Fourth and so on? 27, 81, 243, 729, 218727, 81, 243, 729, 2187 How is the reactor responding to this increase in How is the reactor responding to this increase in

neutron population per generation?neutron population per generation? It is increasing at an exponential rate, resulting in the It is increasing at an exponential rate, resulting in the

reactor to operate near or above its designed limits.reactor to operate near or above its designed limits.

Nuclear Physics To control the neutron population within the reactor, To control the neutron population within the reactor,

operators use control rods which are made of non-operators use control rods which are made of non-fissionable materials such as Boron or Hafnium. fissionable materials such as Boron or Hafnium. These elements are “neutron sponges” they can These elements are “neutron sponges” they can absorb neutrons, to prevent them from interacting absorb neutrons, to prevent them from interacting with Uranium.with Uranium.

The control rods are remotely controlled and can be The control rods are remotely controlled and can be raised and lowered to control the neutron population raised and lowered to control the neutron population within the reactor.within the reactor.

At steady state levels of operation, one neutron At steady state levels of operation, one neutron causes a fission, an only 1 of 3 born from fission goes causes a fission, an only 1 of 3 born from fission goes onto to cause another fission. This is called onto to cause another fission. This is called “criticality”.“criticality”.

THREADED SHAFT FOR DRIVE MOTOR

CONTROL ROD CONTROL RODS ARE MADE OF A MATERIALWITH A VERY HIGH PROBABILITY OF NEUTRON ABSORPTION, USUALLY BORONOR HAFNIUM. THIS ALLOWS THE CONTROLRODS TO BE RAISED AND LOWERED IN THEREACTOR CORE TO CONTROL THE RATE ATWHICH FISSION OF U-235 OCCURS. THE RODSARE CONTROLLED AS A GROUP BY MOTORSAND ELECTRONICS FROM A LOCATION AWAYFROM THE REACTOR.

CONTROL ROD

CONTROL ROD

FUEL CELL

TOP VIEW OF REACTOR CORE WITH CONTROL RODS AND FUEL CELLS

CRDM

INOUT

How do we do it???

The Nuclear Reactor

Made of Corrosion Made of Corrosion Resistant Stainless Resistant Stainless SteelSteel

Built to withstand high Built to withstand high temperature and temperature and pressurepressure

Initial Containment for Initial Containment for radioactive materialradioactive material

We then convert the heat from the fission reaction to steam in a steam generator. The primary coolant passes through tubes which have cooler secondary coolant sprayed on them. The secondary coolant flashes to high pressure steam.

Steam produced

Heat

The steam then flows down a pipe where it will turn generators to generate electricity and on ships to turbines. The steam will spin the turbines at a high rate of speed. This will be reduced by reduction gears to a useful speed to turn the shaft and ultimately the screw on a ship or submarine to propel the vessel through the water.

Steam

Turbine

Generator

Completing the Cycle

The steam, which is now low pressure and The steam, which is now low pressure and exhausted of its’ energy, is condensed back to exhausted of its’ energy, is condensed back to secondary coolant.secondary coolant.

This secondary coolant is pumped back into the This secondary coolant is pumped back into the steam generator to be used again.steam generator to be used again.

The primary coolant, after transferring its’ energy, The primary coolant, after transferring its’ energy, is pumped back through the core repeating the is pumped back through the core repeating the cycle.cycle.

NUCLEAR REACTOR OPERATIONNUCLEAR REACTOR OPERATION

REACTORREACTOR STEAMSTEAMGENERATORGENERATOR

COOLANT PUMPCOOLANT PUMP

STEAMSTEAM

TURBINETURBINE

CONDENSERCONDENSER

CONDENSATE PUMPCONDENSATE PUMP

SW INSW IN

SW OUTSW OUT

REACTOR COMPARTMENTREACTOR COMPARTMENT

PRIMARY SHIELDPRIMARY SHIELD

SECONDARY SECONDARY SHIELDSHIELD

Common concerns regarding nuclear energyCommon concerns regarding nuclear energy ExplosionsExplosions MeltdownsMeltdowns RadiationRadiation Toxic WasteToxic Waste MutationsMutations

TYPES OF RADIATION

GAMMA RAYS - no electric charge, GAMMA RAYS - no electric charge,

most penetrating.most penetrating.

ALPHA PARTICLES - identical to a ALPHA PARTICLES - identical to a

Helium-4 atom, ingestion hazard.Helium-4 atom, ingestion hazard.

BETA PARTICLES - electron with a BETA PARTICLES - electron with a

- or + charge.- or + charge.

NEUTRON - no electric charge.NEUTRON - no electric charge.

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS

KILL OR DESTROY KILL OR DESTROY CELLS. CELLS.

GENETIC GENETIC DEFECTS.DEFECTS.

CANCERCANCER NOTHING.NOTHING.

RADIATION LIMITS & EXPOSURE

GOVERNMENT NAVY

5,000mrem/yr 500mrem/yr

Average exposure working with nuclear power: 150mrem/yr

Average exposure received in the United States: 360mrem/yr

Medical X-rays: 60mrem/dose

Smokers: 1300mrem/yr

HEALTH EFFECTS OF RADIATION EXPOSURE 0-25 Rem 0-25 Rem None detectableNone detectable 25-100 Rem 25-100 Rem Minor blood changes, nausea, fatigueMinor blood changes, nausea, fatigue 100-200 Rem100-200 Rem Disability, blood changes, vomiting. Several Disability, blood changes, vomiting. Several

weeks to recoverweeks to recover 200-600 Rem200-600 Rem Blood changes, internal hemorrhaging, Blood changes, internal hemorrhaging,

disability, vomiting. 50% die w/o treatmentdisability, vomiting. 50% die w/o treatment 600-1000 Rem600-1000 Rem Accelerated symptoms. Death may occur w/in Accelerated symptoms. Death may occur w/in

2 weeks, with delayed mortality of 100% w/o2 weeks, with delayed mortality of 100% w/omedical treatmentmedical treatment

1000-2000 Rem1000-2000 Rem 100% fatality w/o medical treatment100% fatality w/o medical treatment

1 Rem = 1000mRem1 Rem = 1000mRem `̀

CHERNOBYL: AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPENCHERNOBYL: AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN Boiling Water ReactorBoiling Water Reactor

Runaway Reactor => 7% to 50% in 3 secRunaway Reactor => 7% to 50% in 3 sec Slow Control RodsSlow Control Rods Loss of coolant due to operator errorLoss of coolant due to operator error Graphite Moderator vice waterGraphite Moderator vice water No ContainmentNo Containment

RECENT NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS CHERNOBYL-1986CHERNOBYL-1986

TECHNICIANS REMOVE ALL 30 TECHNICIANS REMOVE ALL 30 CONTROL RODS, LOSE CONTROL CONTROL RODS, LOSE CONTROL OF ENERGYOF ENERGY

ATTEMPT TO SHUT DOWN ATTEMPT TO SHUT DOWN REACTOR, ONLY INSERT 6 REACTOR, ONLY INSERT 6 CONTROL RODSCONTROL RODS

RAPID INCREASE OF HEAT RAPID INCREASE OF HEAT CAUSES COOLANT TO EXPLODE CAUSES COOLANT TO EXPLODE INTO STEAM, RUPTURING INTO STEAM, RUPTURING REACTOR VESSELREACTOR VESSEL

CONTAIMENT BUILDING CONTAIMENT BUILDING RUPTURES RELEASING RUPTURES RELEASING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

CHERNOBYL: AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPENCHERNOBYL: AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN

RECENT NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS THREE MILE THREE MILE

ISLAND- 1979ISLAND- 1979

WORKERS DISABLE CONTROL WORKERS DISABLE CONTROL AIR SYSTEMAIR SYSTEM

SECONDARY SYSTEM SHUTS SECONDARY SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN, LOSS OF WATER IN DOWN, LOSS OF WATER IN STEAM GENERATORSSTEAM GENERATORS

REACTOR SCRAMS, PRIMARY REACTOR SCRAMS, PRIMARY SYSTEM OVERHEATS, RELIEF SYSTEM OVERHEATS, RELIEF VALVE GETS STUCK OPENVALVE GETS STUCK OPEN

LOSS OF COOLANT IN PRIMARY LOSS OF COOLANT IN PRIMARY SYSTEM, CORE IS UNCOVERED SYSTEM, CORE IS UNCOVERED

FUEL RODS BREAK DOWN FUEL RODS BREAK DOWN RELEASING HYDROGEN INTO RELEASING HYDROGEN INTO REACTOR VESSEL AND BLDGREACTOR VESSEL AND BLDG

GASES RELEASED TO GASES RELEASED TO ATMOSPHERE TO PREVENT ATMOSPHERE TO PREVENT HYDROGEN EXPLOSIONHYDROGEN EXPLOSION

Three Mile IslandThree Mile Island

Maintenance stopped feedwater to Steam Maintenance stopped feedwater to Steam Generators => Rx automatically shutdownGenerators => Rx automatically shutdown

Emergency Core Cooling System malfunctionEmergency Core Cooling System malfunction Leaking pressure relief valveLeaking pressure relief valve Partial MeltdownPartial Meltdown Almost fully containedAlmost fully contained Turned the tide on public sentiment for Nuclear Turned the tide on public sentiment for Nuclear

PowerPower

Public Radiation Exposure From Three Mile IslandPublic Radiation Exposure From Three Mile Island Highest whole body dose to any one Highest whole body dose to any one

individual <100 milliremsindividual <100 millirems Dose rate within a 10-mile radius <1.5 mrDose rate within a 10-mile radius <1.5 mr Dose rate within a 50-mile radius <.5 mrDose rate within a 50-mile radius <.5 mr

Radioactive Decay ParticlesRadioactive Decay Particles alpha particle => Helium nucleus with a alpha particle => Helium nucleus with a

penetrating power in air of 1-3 cm. Shielded by paper, penetrating power in air of 1-3 cm. Shielded by paper, clothing, dead skin cells.clothing, dead skin cells.

Beta minus => High energy electron with a Beta minus => High energy electron with a penetrating power of 17-24cm. Shielded by thick penetrating power of 17-24cm. Shielded by thick clothing, aluminum foil.clothing, aluminum foil.

= gamma => photon with an infinite penetrating = gamma => photon with an infinite penetrating power, shielded by leadpower, shielded by lead

n = neutron => nucleic particle with a high penetrating n = neutron => nucleic particle with a high penetrating power, shielding by waterpower, shielding by water

The Cookie Question: If you had an alpha, a beta, a gamma, and a neutron cookie, which would you:

The Cookie Question: If you had an alpha, a beta, a gamma, and a neutron cookie, which would you:

throw awaythrow away put in your put in your

pocketpocket eateat hold in your handhold in your hand

lpha lpha particleparticle

Beta particleBeta particlegamma gamma n neutronn neutron

Cookie Question Answer:Cookie Question Answer: Alpha particle: Hold in your hand because it is Alpha particle: Hold in your hand because it is

shielded by dead skin cells.shielded by dead skin cells. Beta particle: Put in your pocket because it is shielded Beta particle: Put in your pocket because it is shielded

by thick clothing.by thick clothing. Gamma: Eat, because one gamma is very small, and Gamma: Eat, because one gamma is very small, and

the chances are low that it will even contact any part of the chances are low that it will even contact any part of your body. your body.

Neutron: Throw away because we use water to either Neutron: Throw away because we use water to either moderate or shield neutrons, and your body is made of moderate or shield neutrons, and your body is made of 70% water.70% water.

Training Pipeline

Upon completion of basic training: “A” Upon completion of basic training: “A” school for 13-26 weeks depending on rate.school for 13-26 weeks depending on rate.

Nuclear Power school for 6 months.Nuclear Power school for 6 months. Naval Nuclear Prototype training for 6 Naval Nuclear Prototype training for 6

months in either SC or NY.months in either SC or NY.

BENEFITS Entry level bonus- Entry level bonus- $12,000$12,000 cash cash Advanced promotion to E-3 upon graduation from basic Advanced promotion to E-3 upon graduation from basic

trainingtraining Advancement to E-4 within 6-9 months (More $$$)Advancement to E-4 within 6-9 months (More $$$) College level credit - ~80 credits worthCollege level credit - ~80 credits worth Re-enlistment bonus- up to Re-enlistment bonus- up to $120,000$120,000, and first time , and first time

advancement to E-5 (MORE $$$)advancement to E-5 (MORE $$$) Technical experience, leadership skills, a security Technical experience, leadership skills, a security

clearance level of “Secret”, and Highly specialized clearance level of “Secret”, and Highly specialized trainingtraining

Great opportunities for Officer selectionGreat opportunities for Officer selection

Any Questions???

MM1(SS) Ryan ReedMM1(SS) Ryan Reed Phone: 269-270-7314Phone: 269-270-7314 Email: ryan.t.reed@navy.milEmail: ryan.t.reed@navy.mil