Basics of nuclear technology

Basics of Basics of Nuclear TechnologyNuclear Technology

TopicsTopics Introduction and DiscoveryIntroduction and Discovery Nuclear fission, nuclear fusionNuclear fission, nuclear fusion Chain ReactionChain Reaction How Nuclear Power is generated, advantages and How Nuclear Power is generated, advantages and

disadvantagesdisadvantages Which Fuel is More Energy Efficient?Which Fuel is More Energy Efficient? Countries Generating Most Nuclear PowerCountries Generating Most Nuclear Power Radiation Effects on HumansRadiation Effects on Humans Long Term Effects on HumansLong Term Effects on Humans Pros & ConsPros & Cons

Nuclear technology is technology that involves Nuclear technology is technology that involves the reactions of atomic nuclei. It has found the reactions of atomic nuclei. It has found applications from smoke detectors to nuclear applications from smoke detectors to nuclear reactors, and from gun sights to nuclear reactors, and from gun sights to nuclear weapons.weapons.

IntroductionIntroduction

1946 - AEC (Atomic Energy Commission) was established as part of the 1946 - AEC (Atomic Energy Commission) was established as part of the Atomic Energy ActAtomic Energy Act

1949 - AEC authorized the construction of Experimental Breeder Reactor I 1949 - AEC authorized the construction of Experimental Breeder Reactor I ( EBR-1) at a site in Idaho(USA)( EBR-1) at a site in Idaho(USA)

Early 1951 - A critical chain reaction was reached using uranium Early 1951 - A critical chain reaction was reached using uranium

A football sized core was created and kept at low power for four months A football sized core was created and kept at low power for four months until December 20, 1951 until December 20, 1951

Power was gradually increased until the first usable amount of electricity Power was gradually increased until the first usable amount of electricity was generated, lighting four light bulbs and introducing nuclear generated was generated, lighting four light bulbs and introducing nuclear generated power for the first timepower for the first time

Early Beginnings Early Beginnings

A few years later Idaho became the first city to A few years later Idaho became the first city to get the power supply from nuclear reactorget the power supply from nuclear reactor

Nuclear fission, Nuclear fission,

Nuclear fission :Nuclear fission :is a process, by which a heavy is a process, by which a heavy nuclide splits into two or more pieces. From nuclide splits into two or more pieces. From masses of nuclides, scientists knew that such a masses of nuclides, scientists knew that such a process would release a lot of energy.process would release a lot of energy.

Such a weapon would destroy the enemy in Such a weapon would destroy the enemy in such a way that even the winner will be scared.such a way that even the winner will be scared.

Two nuclei combine into one nucleus with the Two nuclei combine into one nucleus with the emission of an element called nucleon is emission of an element called nucleon is called called nuclear fusionnuclear fusion..

Nuclear fusion is an energy supplying process Nuclear fusion is an energy supplying process which happens in the sun and the stars since which happens in the sun and the stars since billions of years. billions of years.

The fusion process takes place at extraordinary The fusion process takes place at extraordinary high temperatures. high temperatures.

Nuclear FusionNuclear Fusion

Chain ReactionChain Reaction

The neutrons produced by fission may strike The neutrons produced by fission may strike other uranium nuclei and produce more other uranium nuclei and produce more neutrons. This multiplication process, or chain neutrons. This multiplication process, or chain reaction, happens in a split second and results reaction, happens in a split second and results in a release of a large amount of heat.  The in a release of a large amount of heat.  The heat is used to generate electricity in a nuclear heat is used to generate electricity in a nuclear power plant.power plant.

How Nuclear Power is generatedHow Nuclear Power is generated

The reactor uses Uranium rods as fuel, and the heat is The reactor uses Uranium rods as fuel, and the heat is generated by generated by nuclear fission:nuclear fission: neutrons smash into the neutrons smash into the nucleus of the uranium atoms, which split roughly in nucleus of the uranium atoms, which split roughly in half and release energy in the form of heat. half and release energy in the form of heat.

Carbon dioxide gas or water is pumped through the Carbon dioxide gas or water is pumped through the reactor to take the heat away, this then heats water to reactor to take the heat away, this then heats water to make steam. make steam.

The steam drives turbines which drive generators. The steam drives turbines which drive generators.

Advantages of Nuclear PowerAdvantages of Nuclear Power Nuclear power costs about the same as coal, so it's Nuclear power costs about the same as coal, so it's

not expensive to make. not expensive to make.

Does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it does Does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.not contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Produces huge amounts of energy from small Produces huge amounts of energy from small amounts of fuel.amounts of fuel.

Produces small amounts of waste. Produces small amounts of waste.

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Although not much waste is produced, it is very, very Although not much waste is produced, it is very, very dangerous. dangerous. It must be sealed up and buried for many thousands It must be sealed up and buried for many thousands of years to allow the radioactivity to die away. of years to allow the radioactivity to die away. For all that time it must be kept safe from For all that time it must be kept safe from earthquakes, flooding, terrorists and everything else. earthquakes, flooding, terrorists and everything else. This is difficult.This is difficult.

Nuclear power is reliable, but a lot of money has to Nuclear power is reliable, but a lot of money has to be spent on safety - if it be spent on safety - if it doesdoes go wrong, a nuclear go wrong, a nuclear accident can be a major disaster. accident can be a major disaster.

Nuclear Energy from Uranium is not Nuclear Energy from Uranium is not renewablerenewable

Which Fuel is More Energy Which Fuel is More Energy Efficient?Efficient?

One uranium pellet (about 1 cm in diameter and 1.5 cm in length) generates the same amount of energy as:

Countries Generating Nuclear PowerCountries Generating Nuclear Power

CountryCountry Total MWTotal MW

USAUSA 99,78499,784

FranceFrance 58,49358,493

JapanJapan 38,87538,875

GermanyGermany 22,65722,657

RussiaRussia 19,84319,843

CanadaCanada 15,75515,755

UkraineUkraine 12,67912,679

United KingdomUnited Kingdom 11,72011,720

SwedenSweden 10,00210,002

South KoreaSouth Korea 8,1708,170

Radiation Effects on HumansRadiation Effects on Humans

Certain body parts are more specifically affected by Certain body parts are more specifically affected by exposure to different types of radiation sources. exposure to different types of radiation sources. Several factors are involved in determining the Several factors are involved in determining the potential health effects of exposure to radiation. potential health effects of exposure to radiation. These include:These include:

* The size of the dose (amount of energy deposited in * The size of the dose (amount of energy deposited in the body)the body)

* The ability of the radiation to harm human tissue* The ability of the radiation to harm human tissue * Which organs are affected* Which organs are affected

HairHair

The losing of hair quickly and in clumps The losing of hair quickly and in clumps occurs with radiation exposure at 200 rems or occurs with radiation exposure at 200 rems or higher.higher.

BrainBrain

Since brain cells do not reproduce, they won't Since brain cells do not reproduce, they won't be damaged directly unless the exposure is be damaged directly unless the exposure is 5,000 rems or greater. Like the heart, radiation 5,000 rems or greater. Like the heart, radiation kills nerve cells and small blood vessels, and kills nerve cells and small blood vessels, and can cause seizures and immediate death.can cause seizures and immediate death.

ThyroidThyroid The thyroid gland is susceptible to radioactive iodine. In The thyroid gland is susceptible to radioactive iodine. In

sufficient amounts, radioactive iodine can destroy all or part of sufficient amounts, radioactive iodine can destroy all or part of the thyroid. By taking potassium iodide can reduce the effects the thyroid. By taking potassium iodide can reduce the effects of exposure.of exposure.

Blood SystemBlood System When a person is exposed to around 100 rems, the blood's When a person is exposed to around 100 rems, the blood's

lymphocyte cell count will be reduced, leaving the victim lymphocyte cell count will be reduced, leaving the victim more susceptible to infection. This is often refered to as mild more susceptible to infection. This is often refered to as mild radiation sickness. Early symptoms of radiation sickness radiation sickness. Early symptoms of radiation sickness mimic those of flu and may go unnoticed unless a blood count mimic those of flu and may go unnoticed unless a blood count is done.According to data from Hiroshima and Nagaski, show is done.According to data from Hiroshima and Nagaski, show that symptoms may persist for up to 10 years and may also that symptoms may persist for up to 10 years and may also have an increased long-term risk for leukemia and lymphoma. have an increased long-term risk for leukemia and lymphoma. For more information, visit Radiation Effects Research For more information, visit Radiation Effects Research Foundation.Foundation.

HeartHeart Intense exposure to radioactive material at 1,000 to 5,000 rems Intense exposure to radioactive material at 1,000 to 5,000 rems

would do immediate damage to small blood vessels and would do immediate damage to small blood vessels and probably cause heart failure and death directly.probably cause heart failure and death directly.

Gastrointestinal TractGastrointestinal Tract Radiation damage to the intestinal tract lining will cause Radiation damage to the intestinal tract lining will cause

nausea, bloody vomiting and diarrhea. This is occurs when the nausea, bloody vomiting and diarrhea. This is occurs when the victim's exposure is 200 rems or more. The radiation will victim's exposure is 200 rems or more. The radiation will begin to destroy the cells in the body that divide rapidly. These begin to destroy the cells in the body that divide rapidly. These including blood, GI tract, reproductive and hair cells, and including blood, GI tract, reproductive and hair cells, and harms their DNA and RNA of surviving cells.harms their DNA and RNA of surviving cells.

Reproductive TractReproductive Tract Because reproductive tract cells divide rapidly, these areas of Because reproductive tract cells divide rapidly, these areas of

the body can be damaged at rem levels as low as 200. Long-the body can be damaged at rem levels as low as 200. Long-term, some radiation sickness victims will become sterile.term, some radiation sickness victims will become sterile.

Long Term Effects on HumansLong Term Effects on Humans

The effects- including leukemia, cancer, and many The effects- including leukemia, cancer, and many others- appear two, three, even ten years later.others- appear two, three, even ten years later.

Blood DisordersBlood Disorders

According to Japanese data, there was an increase in According to Japanese data, there was an increase in anemia among persons exposed to the bomb. In some anemia among persons exposed to the bomb. In some cases, the decrease in white and red blood cells lasted cases, the decrease in white and red blood cells lasted for up to ten years after the bombing.for up to ten years after the bombing.

CataractsCataracts There was an increase in cataract rate of the survivors There was an increase in cataract rate of the survivors

at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who were partly shielded at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who were partly shielded and suffered partial hair loss.and suffered partial hair loss.

Malignant TumorsMalignant Tumors A prevalent type of tumor is leukemia. The cancer A prevalent type of tumor is leukemia. The cancer

incidence among survivors of Hiroshima and incidence among survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is significantly larger than that of the Nagasaki is significantly larger than that of the general population, and a significant correlation general population, and a significant correlation between exposure level and degree of incidence has between exposure level and degree of incidence has been reported for thyroid cancer, breast cancer, lung been reported for thyroid cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and cancer of the salivary gland. Often a cancer, and cancer of the salivary gland. Often a decade or more passes before radiation-caused decade or more passes before radiation-caused malignancies appear.malignancies appear.

KeloidsKeloids

Beginning in early 1946, scar tissue covering Beginning in early 1946, scar tissue covering apparently healed burns began to swell and apparently healed burns began to swell and grow abnormally. Mounds of raised and grow abnormally. Mounds of raised and twisted flesh, called keloids, were found in 50 twisted flesh, called keloids, were found in 50 to 60 percent of those burned by direct to 60 percent of those burned by direct exposure to the heat rays within 1.2 miles of exposure to the heat rays within 1.2 miles of the hypocenter. Keloids are believed to be the hypocenter. Keloids are believed to be related to the effects of radiation.related to the effects of radiation.

Pros / AdvantagesPros / Advantages

Medical ApplicationsMedical Applications

The medical applications of nuclear The medical applications of nuclear technology are divided into diagnostics and technology are divided into diagnostics and radiation treatment.radiation treatment.

Radiation therapy is an effective treatment for Radiation therapy is an effective treatment for cancer cancer

• Provides almost 20% of world’s electricity (8% in U.S.)

Industrial applicationsIndustrial applications

Oil and Gas Exploration- Nuclear well logging Oil and Gas Exploration- Nuclear well logging is used to help predict the commercial viability is used to help predict the commercial viability of new or existing wells. The technology of new or existing wells. The technology involves the use of a neutron or gamma-ray involves the use of a neutron or gamma-ray source and a radiation detector which are source and a radiation detector which are lowered into boreholes to determine the lowered into boreholes to determine the properties of the surrounding rock such as properties of the surrounding rock such as porosity and lithography. porosity and lithography.

Road ConstructionRoad Construction - Nuclear - Nuclear moisture/density gauges are used to determine moisture/density gauges are used to determine the density of soils, asphalt, and concrete. the density of soils, asphalt, and concrete. Typically a Cesium-137 source is used.Typically a Cesium-137 source is used.

Commercial applicationsCommercial applications

An ionization smoke detector includes a tiny An ionization smoke detector includes a tiny mass of radioactive americium-241, which is a mass of radioactive americium-241, which is a source of alpha radiation. Tritium is used with source of alpha radiation. Tritium is used with phosphor in rifle sights to increase nighttime phosphor in rifle sights to increase nighttime firing accuracy. Luminescent exit signs use the firing accuracy. Luminescent exit signs use the same technology.same technology.

Food irradiation is the process of exposing Food irradiation is the process of exposing food to ionizing radiation in order to destroy food to ionizing radiation in order to destroy microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, or insects microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, or insects that might be present in the food. that might be present in the food.

March 6, 2006 — United States - Nuclear March 6, 2006 — United States - Nuclear material leakmaterial leak

Thirty-five liters of a highly enriched uranium Thirty-five liters of a highly enriched uranium solution leaked during transfer into a lab at solution leaked during transfer into a lab at Nuclear Fuel Services Erwin Plant. The Nuclear Fuel Services Erwin Plant. The incident caused a seven-month shutdown and a incident caused a seven-month shutdown and a required public hearing on the licensing of the required public hearing on the licensing of the plant.plant.

Cons / Disadvantages

February 2003: Oak Ridge, During the final February 2003: Oak Ridge, During the final testing of a new saltless uranium processing testing of a new saltless uranium processing method, there was a small explosion followed method, there was a small explosion followed by a fire. The explosion occurred in an by a fire. The explosion occurred in an unvented vessel containing unreacted calcium, unvented vessel containing unreacted calcium, water and depleted uranium. water and depleted uranium.

The Hiroshima, Nagasaki event in the second The Hiroshima, Nagasaki event in the second world war.world war.