Nuclear Reactions
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Nuclear Reaction Nuclear Fusion Nuclear Fission What is Nuclear Reactor Reactor Generations Types of Nuclear Reactor PWR How Much Energy Produced World Nuclear Power Advantages & Disadvantages Nuclear Wastages
Nuclear Reaction
A process, such as fission, fusion, or radioactive decay, in which the structure of an atomic nucleus is altered through release of energy or broken apart.
Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear fusion is the process by which multiple nuclei join together to form a heavier nucleus. It is accompanied by the release or absorption of energy depending on the masses of the nuclei involved..
Examples of Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear Fusion
14.1 Mev
Nuclear Fission
A reaction in which an atomic nucleus of an atom splits by bombardment from an external source, with simultaneous release of large amounts of energy.
Nuclear Fission
Neutron induced in U235
Fission is Exothermic The sum of the masses of the resulting nuclei is less than the original mass (about 0.1% less) The missing mass is converted to energy according to E=mc2
Nuclear Fission
Cause another fission by colliding with a U235 nucleus
Creates two smaller nuclides and free neutrons The free neutrons potentially collide with nearby U235 nuclei May cause the nuclide to split as well
Each split (fission) is accompanied by a large quantity of E-N-E-R-G-Y
If sufficient neutrons are present, we may achieve a chain reaction
Nuclear Fission and Fusion
Nuclear fission: A large nucleus splits into several small nuclei when impacted by a neutron, and energy is released in this process
Nuclear fusion:
Several small nuclei fuse together and release energy.
What is a nuclear reactor?
A nuclear reactor is a device in which nuclear chain reactions are initiated, controlled and sustained at steady rate. Reactors are used for generating electricity.
Reactor Generations
Gen I Prototypes in 50s & 60s
Gen III+
Current Advanced Designs in the Approval Process Pebble Bed Reactor
Gen II (Current NP )
70s & 80s Todays Operational Reactors BWR, PWR, CANDU,
Gen IV ( Under Development )
Deploy in 2030 Economical Safe Minimize Waste Reduce Proliferation
Gen III (Improvements)
ABWR, APWR Approved 90s Some Built around the World
Reactor Generations
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Types of Nuclear Reactor
BOILING WATER REACTOR (BWR) PRESSURISED WATER REACTOR (PWR)
ADVANCED GAS-COOLED REACTOR (AGR)
PRESSURISED HEAVY WATER (CANDU) FAST BREEDER REACTOR (FBR)
Types of Nuclear Reactors
Basic Diagram of a PWR
A PWR in Practice
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Components of nuclear reactors
The core of the reactor contains all of the nuclear fuel and generates all of the heat. It contains low-enriched uranium (<5% U-235), control systems, and structural materials. The core can contain hundreds of thousands of individual fuel pins. The coolant is the material that passes through the core, transferring the heat from the fuel to a turbine. It could be water, heavy-water, liquid sodium, helium,etc The turbine transfers the heat from the coolant to electricity. The containment is the structure that separates the reactor from the environment. These are usually dome-shaped, made of high-density, steel-reinforced concrete. Cooling towers are needed by some plants to dump the excess heat that cannot be converted to energy due to the laws of thermodynamics. These are the hyperbolic icons of nuclear energy. They emit only clean water vapor.
A schematic representation of the basic parts of a nuclear reactor. The largest commercial nuclear power plant reactors are nine- to eleven-inch-thick steel vessels with a stainless steel liner, standing about 40 feet high with a diameter of 16 feet. Such a reactor has four pumps, which move 440,000 gallons of water per minute through the primary loop.
Fuel Assemblies & Control Rod
Spent fuel rod assemblies are removed and new ones are added to a reactor head during refuelling. This shows an initial fuel load to a reactor, which has the upper part removed and set aside for the loading.
How much energy is produced?
Nuclear power is an extremely rich energy source. One gram of Uranium-235 delivers as much energy as 3.5 metric tons of coal!!!
World Nuclear Power
440 Nuclear Reactors in 30 Countries with 377,000 MW Provided ~16% World electricity 60 Nuclear Power Plants under Construction 250 research reactors in 56 countries
Nuclear Plants in India
Power Station
Kaiga Kakrapar Kalpakkam Narora Rawatbhata Tarapur
State
Karnataka Gujarat Tamil Nadu Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan Maharashtra
Type
PHWR PHWR PHWR PHWR PHWR BWR (PHWR) Total
No. of Units
4 2 2 2 6 4 20
Capacity (MW)
880 440 440 440 1180 1400 4780
Projects Under Construction
Power Station
Kudangulam Kalpakkam Kakrapar Rawatbhata
State
Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Gujarat Rajasthan
Type
VVER-1000 / WWER-1000 PFBR PHWR PHWR
No. of Units
2 1 2 2
Capacity (MW)
2000 500 1400 1400
Banswara
Rajasthan
PHWR
Total
2
9
1400
6700
WWER-100 Safety Features
Passive Heat Removal System Double Containment Core Catcher Hydrogen Recombiner
Tsunami impact on Japan Nuclear Power plant
Fukushima Daiichi
Loss of electric power supply
Reactor coolant Pump stops due to Batteries empty leads no heat removal.
Loss of cooling water for reactor fuels (14 hours with no cooling)
Nuclear fuels are estimated to start melting at 17:00. (one hour and 20 min. later of the Tsunami attack.)
Melted fuel moved to the bottom of reactor vessel and possibly some of the fuels dropped on the dry well floor.
Hydrogen generated by the Zirconium-Water reaction.
Tsunami impact on Japan Nuclear Power plant
Leakage of Spend fuel stored in pool Containment Pressure increased. Melting of cladding due to High temp ( about 1800 2500c) Fission Products like Xenon, Iodine, Cesium melt down Building explode during venting procedure to reduce containment pressure.
Advantages of Nuclear Energy
The Earth has limited supplies of coal and oil. Nuclear power plants could still produce electricity after coal and oil become scarce. Nuclear power plants need less fuel than ones which burn fossil fuels. One ton of uranium produces more energy than is produced by several million tons of coal or several million barrels of oil. Nuclear plant does not make harmful greenhouse gases. very small amount of nuclear fuel to make a lot of energy.
Disadvantages
Handling of radio active waste is still an unresolved one.
Nuclear Radiation harmful or even fatal to infected people
High Risk : It is technically impossible to build a plant with 100% security. World uranium supplies may run out in about 30 to 60 years. Nuclear power plants as well as nuclear waste could be preferred targets for terrorist attacks.
Nuclear Wastages
High Level Radio active waste Low Level Radio active waste
Pressurized water Reactor
