Nuclear Energy

By:. Mussa Mussawi, Azam Ali & Tom McKenna

Contents

Overview of Nuclear Energy Why Nuclear Energy Reactor Types Technology Nuclear Power Plants How the power plant works The Depletion of Fossil Fuels Security of Supply Energy Density & Environment Nuclear Waste Nuclear Safety References

Overview of Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy consumption by region

Top 10 Nuclear Generating Countries ( 2011-2012)

UK nuclear power plants map

Vast Fuel Supply - Breeder reactors - Seawater extractionBenign Operation - Plant safety - EnvironmentBase Load Generation - Capacity factor >90%

Why Nuclear Energy?

Reactor Types

1. Mining and milling process of uranium. ~ 0.2 tons/(MW*yr) required.

2. Convert yellowcake to UO2 then UF6.

3. Enrich UF6 by centrifugation to 3-4% U-235, then convert back to UO2.

4. Manufacture fuel from UO2. Pellets inserted into zircalloy fuel rod.

5. Electric generation. Production of Pu-239; fission of some of this.

6. Spent fuel storage. Disperse heat and radiation.

7. Spent fuel reprocessing for new fuel (MOX).

8. Vitrification of high level wastes.

9. Final disposal in stable geologic formations.

Fuel Cycle

Current Technology (Generation III+)

Future Technology (Generation IV)

• Nuclear reaction because of Uranium

• Core of reactor• Control rods• Steam Generator• Primary side and

Secondary side• Pressurizer (temp

600 degree fahrenheit)

• Turbine• Generator

How the power plant works

The Depletion of Fossil Fuels

1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 22020

2030

2040

2050

2060

2070

2080

2090

2100 Depletion date of fossil fuels

Reserves ratio w.r.t. 1985

De

ple

tio

n y

ea

r

2009

1985

0% - annual increase in consumption 1

%

2%

3%

• Nuclear is not the solution, but there's no solution without nuclear

• A range of energy sources are required to meet demand in the future

• Many sources of renewable energy rarely produce full output when required

• Nuclear power stations currently produce about 15-17% of global electrical energy

Security of Supply

• Newly designed nuclear stations have an output of around 1600MW

• A nuclear power station typically occupies no more than 1Km^2 of land

• Windfarms in the UK produce on average 3MW per Km^2

• 534Km^2 of wind turbines would be required to match the output of a nuclear power station.

Energy Density & Environment

• Used fuel can be reprocessed in to MOX fuel (Mixed OXide)

• Reprocessing reduces the volume of high-level waste to about one fifth

• Stocks of plutonium can be disposed of by reprocessing into MOX or as fuel for fast breeder reactors

• The UK holds the world's largest stock of civilian plutonium

Nuclear Waste

• UK nuclear power plants are highly regulated and are subject to strict safety standards and design approvals

• The UK nuclear Industry has a good safety record

• Last magnox reactor is still in use after 42 years with no issues

• The UK does not suffer from extreme weather or natural disasters

Nuclear Safety

• http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Nuclear-Fuel-Cycle/Fuel-Recycling/Mixed-Oxide-Fuel-MOX/#.Umboq-vgLH8

• http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Nuclear-Fuel-Cycle/Fuel-Recycling/Processing-of-Used-Nuclear-Fuel/#.UmbSd-vgLH8

• http://withouthotair.blogspot.co.uk/2009/05/wind-farm-power-per-unit-area-data.html

• http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Countries-T-Z/United-Kingdom/#.Umb0IOvgLH_

• http://www.edouardstenger.com/2009/10/26/10-reasons-to-support-nuclear-power/• http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/29/business/energy-environment/29iht-sustain.ht

ml?pagewanted=all&_r=0

• http://www.nda.gov.uk/ukinventory/the_inventory/waste-inventory.cfm• http://withouthotair.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/power-per-unit-land-area-of-

windfarms.html• Sustainable Energy Presetation, Dr Stas Burek

References