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Energy From Nuclear

Fission and FusionGeorge Hume and Steven Jeckovich

Some Material in This Presentation has been Obtained from The Future of

Nuclear Power: An Interdisciplinary MIT Study, 2003

A Copy of this Presentation can be Found at: www.physics.uci.edu/~silverma/


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Context of the Presentation

The Problem While Electricity Generated from Nuclear Power

(primarily Nuclear Fission for the foreseeable future) isa Very Viable Alternative Source of Energy, We in theUnited States Seem to Have a Very Serious AttitudeProblem

Major Effects

Possible Causes

The Question What must be done to make nuclear power a significant

option for meeting increasing global demand forelectricity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions?


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PresentationOutline

Electricity Generated From Nuclear Fission Current Status and Performance (U.S. and Foreign)

Commercial Power Reactors

Naval Reactors

Overview of Current Plans for Further Development of Reactors

Alternative Reactor Designs and Fuel Cycles Availability of Fuel Resources

Key Problem Issues and Current Status Safety Economics

Waste Management Proliferation Concerns

Forecasts of Useful Power from Nuclear Fusion Overall Fusion History and Description of the ITER Program

Assessment of Future Prospects

Conclusions and Recommendations


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Worldwide Nuclear PowerWorldwide Nuclear Power

Provides 20% of the worlds electricityProvides 20% of the worlds electricity

Provides 7% of worlds total energy usageProvides 7% of worlds total energy usage

Cost is currently similar to fossil fuelsCost is currently similar to fossil fuels

Nuclear reactors have zero emissions of smog orNuclear reactors have zero emissions of smog or

CO2CO2

There are 440 nuclear power reactors in 31There are 440 nuclear power reactors in 31

countriescountries

30 more are under construction30 more are under construction

They produce a total of 351 billion watts ofThey produce a total of 351 billion watts of


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World Nuclear Power Generation(in 2000)

Country No. Reactors Generation, kWh % TotalUnited States 103 754 20

France 59 395 76

Japan 53 305 34

United Kingdom 35 78 22Germany 19 160 31

Russia 29 120 15

So. Korea 16 103 41

Canada 14 6912

India 14 14 3

Sweden 11 55 39

21 Others


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Current Power Reactor Types

Reactor Type Moderator Coolant CommentsGas Cooled Reactor Graphite L. Water CO2 Coolant. Heat Exchangers

(GCR or AGC) Primarily Built in UK

Pressurized Water Reactor L. Water L. Water >50% Reactors in 24 Countries

(PWR) Water Pressure = 2000 psi

Boiling Water Reactor L. Water L. Water 2nd most common, >10% of World

(BWR) Water Pressure = 1000 psi

Canadian Deuterium U. H. Water H.water Uses natural U fuel (


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California Nuclear EnergyCalifornia Nuclear Energy

Each 1,100 megawatt reactor can power one million homes.Each 1,100 megawatt reactor can power one million homes.

Each reactors output is equivalent to 15 million barrels of oilEach reactors output is equivalent to 15 million barrels of oil

or 3.5 million tons of coal a year.or 3.5 million tons of coal a year.

The total 5,500 megawatts of nuclear power is out of a peakThe total 5,500 megawatts of nuclear power is out of a peak

state electrical power of 30,000 40,000 megawatts.state electrical power of 30,000 40,000 megawatts.

The PUC is now faced with a decision to approve $1.4 billion toThe PUC is now faced with a decision to approve $1.4 billion to

replace steam generators in San Onofre and Diablo Canyon.replace steam generators in San Onofre and Diablo Canyon.

The replacements would save consumers up to $3 billion theyThe replacements would save consumers up to $3 billion they

would have to pay for electricity elsewherewould have to pay for electricity elsewhere..


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NavalReactors U.S. Navy

Has about 104 reactors used as primary propulsion and electricpower generation in submarines, aircraft carriers, a cruiser and adestroyer.

Has safely accumulated over 5400 reactor-years of operation

Since USS Natilus got underway on nuclear power in 1955, our

Navy has safely steamed 130 million miles on nuc. Power

Uses more enriched fuel than commercial reactors

Source of trained personnel in reactor operation.

Foreign Navies Russia, France, United Kingdom and China. Approx.

quantities are: Russia ~100; France ~20; UK ~20; andChina ~ 6.


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Soviet Nuclear Weapons toSoviet Nuclear Weapons to

US Reactor FuelUS Reactor FuelWe are buying highly enriched uraniumWe are buying highly enriched uranium

(20%(20% 235235 U) from the former Soviet UnionsU) from the former Soviet Unions

nuclear weapons. The delivery is over 20nuclear weapons. The delivery is over 20years from 19932013.years from 19932013.

We are converting it to low enrichedWe are converting it to low enriched

uranium (3%uranium (3%235235

U) for reactor fuel. It willU) for reactor fuel. It willsatisfy 9 years of US reactor fuel demand.satisfy 9 years of US reactor fuel demand.

It comes from 6,855 Soviet nuclearIt comes from 6,855 Soviet nuclear

warheads.warheads.


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N l P P dN l P P d


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Nuclear Power ProposedNuclear Power Proposed

Solution?Solution?Richard Garwin ,, MITMIT and industry propose:and industry propose:

If 50 years from now the world uses twice as muchIf 50 years from now the world uses twice as muchenergy, and half comes from nuclear power, Needenergy, and half comes from nuclear power, Need

4,000 nuclear reactors, using about a million tons4,000 nuclear reactors, using about a million tons

of Uranium a yearof Uranium a year

With higher cost terrestrial ore, would last for 300With higher cost terrestrial ore, would last for 300

yearsyears

Breeder reactors creating Plutonium could extendBreeder reactors creating Plutonium could extend

the supply to 200,000 yearsthe supply to 200,000 years

Nonpolluting, non-CO2 producing sourceNonpolluting, non-CO2 producing source

Need more trained nuclear engineers and sites, andNeed more trained nuclear engineers and sites, and

Study of fuel reprocessing, waste disposal, andStudy of fuel reprocessing, waste disposal, and
http://www.fas.org/rlg/021119-ans.htmhttp://www.fas.org/rlg/021119-ans.htmhttp://www.mit.edu/afs/athena/org/n/nuclearpower/http://www.mit.edu/afs/athena/org/n/nuclearpower/http://www.mit.edu/afs/athena/org/n/nuclearpower/http://www.fas.org/rlg/021119-ans.htmhttp://www.fas.org/rlg/021119-ans.htm


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Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor


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Molten Salt Reactor


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Lead-Cooled

Fast Reactor


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Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor


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Supercritical-Water-Cooled Reactor


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Very-High-Temperature Reactor


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Southern California Edison Project

Southern California Edison Project

Controversial Issues A. San Diego Gas and Electric

B. Anaheim Public Utilities

C. Anti Nuclear Activists

PUC hearing 17 May 2005, Oceanside, CA

Decision Process A. Evidence Presented to Administrative Law Judge

B. Commission Prepares Decision

C. Parties Petition for Rehearing

Decision


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Fusion Power Technology-ITER ITER = International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor

A Joint Project Conducted by:

European Union Russian Federation

United States Canada Japan

The Purposes of ITER are: Demo that electrical power from fusion is scientifically and technically feasible

Utilize results of a robust R&D Program

Build and Initially test the Demo System

Estimated to cost >$4.5 billion over 10 years

Based on a Tokamak Design. 10 Years were Required to accomplish thereactor Design

Results of Practical Electric Power from ITER are Probably 10-20 years

away


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Fusion ReactorsFusion Reactors

Fusion easiest for Deuterium on TritiumFusion easiest for Deuterium on Tritium in a high temperature plasma.in a high temperature plasma.Replacement Tritium created from a Lithium blanketReplacement Tritium created from a Lithium blanket

around the reactor absorbing a produced neutron.around the reactor absorbing a produced neutron.

Fusion reactorsFusion reactorsInternational ITER in 2012 for research for a decade, costingin 2012 for research for a decade, costing

$5 billion$5 billion

Current stalemate over siting in France or JapanCurrent stalemate over siting in France or Japan

To be followed by DEMO for a functioning plant, takingTo be followed by DEMO for a functioning plant, taking

another 10 years. So not ready for building units until at leastanother 10 years. So not ready for building units until at least2030.2030.

DEMO will cost $50 billion for a similar capacity as a nuclearDEMO will cost $50 billion for a similar capacity as a nuclear

reactor.reactor.

US Lithium supply would last a few hundred years.US Lithium supply would last a few hundred years.

Still would be a radioactive waste disposal problem.Still would be a radioactive waste disposal problem.
http://www.iter.org/http://www.iter.org/


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Conclusions and Recommendations

Proven Technology is Available in Generation III and III+ Reactor Designs (such as ABWR,

AP100 0,PBM R) for Deploym ent by 2010 if Political/Attitude Problems can be Altered.

Atti tude Adjustment and some further R&D are Needed to Progress fromOnce Through No

Reprocessing Fuel Cycles to the More Advanced Multiple Pass Cycles Used and Advocated by

other Countries in Gen. IV Designs to Ach ieve:

Efficient Use of Uranium Fuel Resources

ReduceSpent Fuel Impact on Long Term Storage Facilities

Governmental (Political/Attitude) progress is Needed to Activate and Use Long Term Nuclear

Waste Storage

Selected Gen. IV Reactor Designs Should be Funded for Further Definition and Developed for

Deployment by 2020 and Beyond.

Keep Fusion Power Efforts at the R&D Stage with Carefully Controlled Funding Pending

Positive Results from ITER .

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