Question Number 1 - Harrison

Quick
How does nuclear fission
work?
Nuclear fission is the act of a
nucleus splitting, and defined, in
basic terms, as the release of energy
from the loss of mass of the atom in
its entirety. While unstable atoms
release energy constantly, the
greatest amount of energy may be
observed when the nucleus of an
atom splits.
he greater the atomic weight of
an atom, the greater the amount of
energy is going to be released. !or
e"ample, an atom like a #ranium-
$%& atom, when splitting, releases
huge amounts of energy, given
'instein(s e)uation *energy + mass , the speed of light
$
-. his e)uation is applicable, because
when the #ranium-$%& atom(s nucleus splits via fission, the weight of the combined particles of
what was the nucleus is less than the weight of the atom before splitting. he mass is, thereby,
converted to energy.
o trigger the fission of uranium-$%&, a .slow neutron/ is introduced to the atom of uranium,
rendering the atom unstable. 0n its instability, the uranium atom is split, beginning the chain
reaction. he probability of a neutron being .caught/ by a uranium-$%& atom is greater when the
neutron is slowed down. !ast neutrons have a lesser probability of being caught by a uranium-
$%& atom. 1lowing down a neutron is done through something called .moderation/, which takes
place in a fission reactor.
2oderation is done with the use of water, which also works as a coolant in nuclear fission.
he neutrons that are emitted when a uranium atom undergoes fission travel through water
between uranium rods in the core, slowing them down, and heightening the probability of each
neutron being .caught/ by a uranium atom.
1o, as a recap, when a neutron is released, and caught by a uranium-$%& atom, the atom
becomes unstable, and the nucleus splits, losing mass, and releasing both energy and neutrons.
he neutrons spread out, and are slowed down with the use of water, making them more easily
.caught/ by another uranium-$%& atom, again rendering it unstable, and the process begins
again. his is a chain reaction.
Question Number 2 - Josiaph Jenkins
E=mc2
Explain the meaning of E=mc2 and the relevance of this relationship to nuclear power. nclude
a sample calculation that is relevant to a nuclear fission power plant. !ake sure "our
explanation addresses the idea of conservation of mass and energ".
Nuclear reaction deals with interactions between the nuclei of atoms being mass and energ".
#oth mass and energ" can not be created and neither destro"ed. $he" are two forms of the
same thing% as e&uals% meaning mass can be converted into energ" and vice versa. Einstein's
formula E=mc2 shows us how this change occurs. (lso% E is energ"% m is mass% and c s&uared
is the speed of light in a vacuum being a universal constant. )ight travels at the speed of
*+,%--- miles per second or .--%--- kilometers per second.
Nuclear power comes from splitting uranium atoms in a process called fission. (t a power plant%
the fission process is used to generate heat for producing steam% which is used b" a turbine to
generate electricit". !ore on fission% when it splits an atomic nucleus into fragments being the
form of a smaller atomic nucleus and neutrons. #ig sums of energ" are made b" this process
since the mass of the product is less than the mass of the reactants. $hus making it
understandable on how much energ" is used through nuclear fission b" Einstein's e&uation
E=mc2. #" using a small amount of mass can produce large amounts of energ" since the speed
of light is a big number in the e&uation.
/uring the nuclear fission process of uranium 2.0 there is a percent loss of mass being
1.2*3*-4-5% because not all mass can be converted into energ".
( good example of this formula is b" taking the mass being -.. kg of uranium and multipl"ing it
b" the speed of light being 6.3*-4+ miles per second742 e&uals 2.1 times *- to the sixteenth
power 8oules or the energ" that has been produced. )astl"% multipl" the product b" this percent
conversion of 1.2*3*-4-5 since not all mass is converted into energ". n the end the example
e&uation looks like this9 -.. kg 36.3*-4+ m:s742 = 2.13*-4*, ---; 2.13*-4*, 3 1.2*3*-4-5=
2.*.3*-4*. 8oules. $his means that onl" -.. kilograms of uranium 2.0 used can power a sixt"
second kilowatt light bulb for approximatel" **%2+, "ears.
#ibliograph"
<!ass-energ" E&uivalence.< Wikipedia. N.p.% *+ (pr. 2-*5. =eb. 2. (pr. 2-*5.
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#rain% !arshall% and Gobert )amb. <Iow Nuclear Dower =orks.<HowStuffWorks.
IowEtuff=orks.com% -2 Hct. 2---. =eb. 2. (pr. 2-*5.
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Question Number 3 - 3ella 4idd
How are radioactive materials for nuclear power plants milled, mined and enriched?
he mining of radioactive materials is a huge industry worldwide. While uranium, for
e"ample, is mined worldwide, some of the producers are in low-income countries such as 5hina,
Niger, Namibia, #6bekistan, 7ussia and #kraine. 2any techni)ues are available in order to mine
radioactive materials, such as open pit, underground uranium mining, and heap leaching.
Open it! 0n open pit mining, overburden *waste or spoil- is removed by drilling and blasting to
e"pose the ore body, which is then mined by blasting and e"cavation using loaders and dump
trucks. 0n order to limit e"posure to radiation, workers spend lots of time in enclosed cabins.
Water is greatly used to suppress and control airborne dust from this tactic of mining.
"nderground "ranium #ining! 0f the uranium is too far below the surface for open pit mining,
an underground mine can be used with tunnels and shafts to access and remove the ore.
#nderground uranium mining is very similar to other rock mining and other ores. 8nce the ore
body has been identified a shaft is put into the ore veins, and crosscuts are driven hori6ontally to
the veins at various levels, usually every 199 to 1&9 meters. 1imilar drifts, or tunnels, are driven
along the ore veins from the crosscut. o e"tract the ore, the ne"t step is to drive tunnels *known
as raises when driven upwards and win6es when driven downwards- through the deposit from
level to level. hese raises are used to develop stopes where the uranium is mined. 'ither the cut-
and-fill method is used *the leftover space in the ground after ore after blasting is filled with
waste rock and cement-, or shrinkage *broken ore is removed to allow miners working at the top
of the pile to drill and blast the ne"t layer to be fragmented off-.
Heap $eaching! 0n this method, chemicals *usually sulfuric acid- are used to e"tract the element
from ore which has already been mined and piled on the surface. 8"idation of the sulfide
deposits occurs in weathering. hese deposits are usually found close to the surface. he
e"tracted ore is run through a crusher and it is placed in heaps on top of a thick plastic that lays
in a large area of land. : leaching agent, or the acid, is sprayed on the ore for %9-;9 days, then as
acid filters through the heap, the uranium breaks its bonds with the o"ide rock and the resulting
solution is filtered into collecting pools which are pumped on-site to plants for further
processing.
%n-&itu $eaching! his method of mining involves leaving the ore where it is in the ground and
recovering the minerals from it by dissolving them and driving the solution to the surface where
the minerals are collected. here is little surface disturbance and no tailings or waste rock
generated with this method. However, the orebody needs to be penetrable to the li)uids used, and
located so that they do not contaminate ground water apart from the orebody.
Question Number 4 Riley Wanzek
Describe the design of a light water nuclear power plant
Nuclear power has a multi step process in order to produce the energ" we all value so
much. $he process of this energ" production starts with man" small% enriched% thumbnail siJed
pellets of Aranium also known as fuel rods. $hese pellets are held in control rods% a device that
can forecast the amount of radioactive deca" developed from the Aranium pellets. =ith man"
different amounts of power produced this device is put to use &uite a bit. Eimilarl" this device
can cut an" radioactive deca" also acting as a safet" feature% one needed with this t"pe of
haJardous material. $he containment structure holds all of the radioactive ingredients needed to
produce the power% also consisting of primar" coolant. =ith the high temperatures produced b"
the nuclear reaction the cooling process is vital. $he primar" coolant is held within the
contentment structure and this is the first line of defense against the high temperatures
produced the refined area. $he containment structure is a pressuriJed cabin% aiding the coolant
b" keeping it in li&uid form.
$he high temperatures in the containment structure transfer to the secondar" coolant
through a heat exchanger. (s the heat is exchanged the coolant reaches the state of steam and
forces its wa" through a turbine setting the energ" production into gear. $his production of
energ" is then fed into the electric grid for the use of the people. Now that the energ" has been
produced the process isn't over% man" steps of cooling and condensing follow. (fter the steam is
condensed the tertiar" coolant is c"cled through cooling towers. =ater falling the hot water
down the towers airing out the molecules as much as possible% serving as the final step in the
cooling process. Finall" the coolant condenses from steam back into water% read" to be c"cled
back through the process.
$his measure of energ" production needs to ensure man" safet" re&uirements and
devices in order to preform &ualit" and safe energ". (dvancements such as self-orchestrating
control rods reduce the amount of human interaction. Gefinements like gravit"-aided tanks have
been developed% suppl"ing the primar" coolant with enough coolant at all times after loss of
coolant due to condensation.
Work cited
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#rain% !arshall% and Gobert )amb. <Iow Nuclear Dower =orks.<HowStuffWorks.
IowEtuff=orks.com% -2 Hct. 2---. =eb. 2, (pr. 2-*5.
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Question Number & <Harrison Quick
'escribe the operating processes of a light water nuclear power plant
: nuclear power plant runs on steam produced with the use of uranium-$%& atoms.
#ranium-$%& itself is the only fissile *can undergo nuclear fission= see above- isotope that is
found in nature in usable )uantities, and has a primordial nuclide. o have a primordial nuclide
means that the atom that is being specified has e"isted in that form since before the earth was
born.
0n the year $91$, in the #nited 1tates, it was found that on average, each nuclear power
plant produced about 11,>99,999,999 kWh *kilowatt-hours-. 2ultiply that by the ?& plants in the
#nited states, and we find that in $91$, nuclear power supplied about 1;@ of the #1(s
electricity, or, A?;,999,999,999 kWh *'0:, #.1.-. he average household consumes about 19,>%A
kWh annually *'0:, #.1.-. he amount of energy provided by nuclear reactors, given this
information, can provide for about A9,;?9,&;> homes.
!uel rods typically last about ? years in a reactor, unless all of the uranium is used up
sooner than ? years *Baura, 5onaway-. 0n replacing the rods, they are still very, very hot, so they
are placed into pools of water *C9"C& ft-, where the water circulates to maintain cooling effects,
and the water provides an insulator from the radiation *. New rods are placed with
electromagnetic machinery.
o control the output of power being generated from a nuclear reactor, less neutrons are
used, and in order to do so, the neutrons are absorbed in the control rods, which are made of
boron, silver, indium, and cadmium. he control rods are lowered and raised in order to allow for
more or less energy production. When the control rods are lowered further, fewer neutrons are
able to travel through, and less energy is generated. he opposite happens when the bars are
heightened.
1afety measures include the use of machinery to prevent human error from influencing
any further problems, regular and constant system monitoring and testing to determine any
possible problems, and technology to prevent the fuel from doing any damage to the plant itself.
Nuclear power plants were determined to have a lifespan of about C9 years, but now the
#1 fleet of nuclear power plants is predicted to last &9-A9 years. echnically however, they don(t
have age limits, because they are constantly changing parts of nuclear reactors even before any
problems occur, to ensure they don(t.
Nuclear reactors in the #1 are typically around %%@ efficient. his means that for every
three units of thermal energy that are being generated with a nuclear reactor, while one unit of
electricity may go out onto the grid, two units of heat are lost, and are released into the
environment.
(orks )ited!
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'fficiency@$5-#-1-Nuclear-Elants-ElaJ.
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maddow-showHwhats-the-deal-spent-nuclear-fuelJ.
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FhttpGHHen.wikipedia.orgHwikiHNuclearIfissionP0nputJ.
Question Number ?
3ree6e 2aestas
How much radiation is the surrounding environment subQected to from a properly function
nuclear power plantK
.:n operating nuclear power plant produces very small amounts of radioactive gases and li)uids,
as well as small amounts of direct radiation. 0f you lived within &9 miles of a nuclear power
plant, you would receive an average radiation dose of about 9.91 millirem per year. o put this in
perspective, the average person in the #nited 1tates receives an e"posure of %99 millirem per
year from natural background sources of radiation./ :n average american is e"posed to ?$9
millirems per year, we are e"posed to all different types of radiation in our daily lives such as
cell phones, the sun, "rays, etc. here is Qust as much to be feared in this area as there is with
nuclear power plants. :s :mericans we are e"posed to a steady stream of radiation in our
everyday lives and the small added amount, due to e"posure to nuclear power plants does not
raise your levels to a dangerous high.
What risk for nuclear meltdown e"ists in light water reactors in the #.1.K
0n the #nited 1tates, there are 19C nuclear reactors. 1ome of these nuclear power plants have
had emergency shut downs in the past, indicating the possibility of a more une"pected shut
downs in the future. 0n 2ay of $911, five of the nuclear reactors were shut down due to
emergencies. 1evere weather such as hurricanes, tsunamis and tornadoes can affect the nuclear
power plants. :long with natural disasters, these plants are also at risk through a few other
instabilities including the type of reactor, either boiling water reactor or a pressuri6ed water
reactor= the age of the reactor= power level of the reactor. 7esearchers have found that the boiling
water reactors are less able to prevent the release of radiation in the event of a natural disaster.
2ost nuclear power plants have a lifespan of C9 years. However, the Nuclear 7egulatory
5ommission has declared that several nuclear power plants can operate for ?9 years. :s the plant
gets older, so do the components, potentially making for a weaker, less secure plant. Bastly, the
power production of a plant determines the level of wear and tear. 0n some cases, the reactors
have been pushed past their limit to produce more energy than they are designed for, weakening
all back-up systems. he #nited 1tates also has organi6ations that aim to monitor and ensure all
nuclear power plants are practicing the safest methods of energy production. :dditionally, all
power plants are closely monitored and improved emergency systems have been developed to
increase safety. hrough all of these safety procedures, there is still the slim chance that a natural
disaster could occur and that unpredictable accident may lead to a meltdown or other damage to
the plant.
What are potential risks to nuclear power plants from events like natural disaster and terrorist
attacksK
here are always risks such as natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Natural disasters are more
possible and a greater risk to the common public than terrorist attacks. errorist attacks are not
e"tremely probable or thought to be very problematic. he reason for that e"planation is, the
only thing that could be of any harm is if, an obQect *i.e. a plane or missile- crashed into the
nuclear plant site, then hit the core of the reactor. he probability of that happening is very low.
Natural disasters are more of a problem because they cause more damage and are stronger as
well as less predictable.
What safety features are being built in light water reactors in the #.1.K
here are a few ideas being proposed about making the light water reactors safer as well as safer.
8ne idea is looking into advanced pumps, heating and cooling systems and turbines. :nother
plan that is being implemented in the #nited 1tates mandates that the reactor be built with .%$
per cent fewer valves, %& per cent fewer pumps, and C& per cent less pipe than a traditional
power./
How much radioactive waste is produced by a typical light water reactorK
*hermal-neutron reactors are the most common type of reactor, and light water reactors are the
most common type of thermal-neutron reactor. 0n the 8'5O countries, some %99 million tons of
to"ic wastes are produced each year, but conditioned radioactive wastes amount to only >1,999
m% per year. : typical 1999 2We light water reactor will generate *directly and indirectly- $99-
%&9 m% low- and intermediate-level waste per year./
Question Number A
3ree6e 2aestas
What radionuclides are typically in radioactive waste and in what concentrationsK
Rhere are si" levels of radioactive wastesG
1. e"empt waste
$. very short lived waste
%. very low level waste
C. low level waste
&. intermediate waste
?. high level waste(
what are the half lives of the radionuclides found in radioactive waste and in what
concentrationsK
.Elutonium has at least 1& different isotopes, all of which are radioactive. he most common
ones are Eu-$%>, Eu-$%;, and Eu-$C9. Eu-$%> has a half-life of >A.A years. Elutonium-$%; has a
half-life of $C,199, and Eu-$C9 has a half-life ?,&?9 years. he isotope Eu-$%> gives off useable
heat, because of its radioactivity. 0odine is also commonly found in radioactive substances.
Elutonium has at least 1& different isotopes, all of which are radioactive. he most common ones
are Eu-$%>, Eu-$%;, and Eu-$C9. Eu-$%> has a half-life of >A.A years. Elutonium-$%; has a half-
life of $C,199, and Eu-$C9 has a half-life ?,&?9 years. he isotope Eu-$%> gives off useable heat,
because of its radioactivity./
What are the types of decay the radionuclides in radioactive waste undergoK WHat are their
decay energiesK
.2ost naturally occurring radioactive materials and many fission products= undergo radioactive
decay through a series of transformations *loss of particles or electromagnetic energy from an
unstable nucleus- rather than in a single step. #ntil the last step, these radionuclides emit energy
or particle with each transformation and become another radionuclide. 2an-made elements,
which are all heavier than uranium and unstable, undergo decay in this way. his decay chain, or
decay series, ends in a stable nuclide./
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Question Number > <Tosh Oavoust
What are emissions from nuclear power plantsK
* Iow have the emissions from nuclear power plants affected local air &ualit" as
compared to other forms of energ" productionK
Nuclear power produces very few emissions. he only direct emission from a nuclear
power plant is depleted fuel rods that re)uire special disposal. With consideration to the
entire life of a nuclear power plant there are still less emissions than other power sources.
:lthough no green house gasses *SHS- are directly emitted by nuclear power production the
e"traction and disposal of uranium account for some SHS. 7egardless, nuclear power still
produces far less SHS than any other nonrenewable energy source. World Nuclear
:ssociation reported that the tonnes of 58
$
emitted per SWh by nuclear*$;- is lower than all
energy sources apart from hydro*$?- and geothermal*$?-= natural gas emitted >>> tHSWh and
C;; tHSWh from natural gas *this study used the life time emission-. !or surrounding areas a
very minimal amount of radiation is emitted, however more radiation is released by a coal
plant and this amount is a fraction of a percent of the radiation we are e"posed to. he
largest emission concern for nuclear power is the radioactive material. he waste is stored
until it is no longer ha6ardous, this can be indefinitely.
Works 5ited
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Question Number ; <Tosh Oavoust
What are environmental and safety considerations for the storage of nuclear wasteK
When the life of nuclear fuel cells is depleted they become nuclear waste. 7adioactive
waste can also be considered anything that has been irradiated. Nuclear Waste poses challenges
because it waste is harmful to most life and is not easily discarded. 8nce the fuel rods are no
longer in use at the power plant they must be cooled and stored. Oepleted rods still emit very
large amounts of radiation and living organisms cannot be e"posed to them. he spent rods emit
alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. 2easures are re)uired to prevent this radiation from irritating
anything. Waste is categori6ed as low-level, intermediate-level, and high-level radioactive waste
based on the amount of time until it will no longer be ha6ardous.
Bow and intermediate-level waste does not need to be store as securely or for as long.
2ost countries including the #1 have facilities to store low and intermediate waste. High level
waste is waste that must be stored for incredibly long amounts of time, between thousands to
billions of years. No country currently operates a high level civilian nuclear waste facility, a
facility for power plant waste. 5urrently waste is stored in temporary containment locations.
High level waste facilities have not been opened due to the effort re)uired to complete
such a facility. he facility would have to withstand the most strenuous conditions such as
natural disasters. 5urrently the most viable option is deep earth burial. Oeep burial would
prevent any radiation from reaching the surface and harming life on earth. 0f containment of
waste were to leak it would cause irreparable damage to the ecosystem. Beaked radiation mutates
ON: and would force areas to become inhabitable. 3ecause of the time it would take before the
waste is no longer a threat storage facilities would have to be completely inaccessible forever.
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Question Number 19 <7iley Wan6ak
'escribe the science involved in global climate change and how it relates to emissions from
nuclear power pants and fossil fuel power plants.
(s we use energ" in the form or transportation% production and consumption we produce
a gas% which is regularl" occurring% but not at the rate it is now. t all involves the greenhouse
effect% a vital and delicate s"stem for life on Earth.
(s we receive light from the sun it is either reflected back to space of absorbed into the
environment. $he environment then releases this energ" as infrared radiation% some of this
radiation is again released some of it is contained to warm the Earth. #ut as this delicate filter
that releases the infrared radiation becomes bombarded with more carbon dioxide more of the
heat is contained% ultimatel" warming the atmosphere. f still confused think of the atmosphere
as a shirt around the Earth. $his shirt is breathable and moderates a temperature perfect for our
comfort. #ut now the shirt becomes clogged and contains more heat then suitable for element
such as ice caps.
Hver time as man has the increases need for energ"% the increase has also been found
in the gases emitted into the atmosphere. /ue to the warming of the environment vital elements
of nature are becoming scarce% mainl" elements involving a cooler climate conditions. ce caps
are receding into the oceanL Ehorter and shorter winters have been recorded. $hese are the
effects of climate change and the" will onl" get worse in the future.
Mleaner efforts have been achieved to reduce this carbon footprint. $he production of
nuclear power shows the use in a highl" efficient process. =ith mining and transportation
emissions still present this method does still produce emissions but little at the tail pipe of the
nuclear reactor. Dosing a much more efficient production than coal or natural gas which both
emit greenhouse gases after the combustion of the substance.
Work !ited
<$he Nreenhouse Effect.< EPA. Environmental Drotection (genc"% 2 (ug. 2-*.. =eb. 2+ (pr.
2-*5.
<Nreenhouse Effect.< Wikipedia. =ikimedia Foundation% .- (pr. 2-*5. =eb. 22 (pr. 2-*5.
Question Number ++ ,-ella .idd
(hat are the environmental and safet/ issues associated with the mining and refining of
nuclear fuel?
Health risks that come at the cost of nuclear power production are plentiful. 5ases of
water contamination with radioactive substances has occurred around over a do6en different
nuclear sites around Qust the #nited 1tates alone. he process of mining materials used in
nuclear power plants such as uranium and titanium run a very high risk of water
contamination to near by rivers and streams as well as ground water supplies. 0n addition to
water contamination, e"posure to radioactive material can sometimes be deadly, causing
health problems and cancer. hrough the history of nuclear disasters, it has been observed
that there has been a definite negative effect on human health caused by nuclear power plants
along with infertility, health problems, and deadly cancers among people in communities
even far away from original nuclear site.
(here is uranium mined and appro0imatel/ how much is available in the "&? %n the
world?
he three largest producers of uranium are 4a6akhstan, 5anada and :ustralia. hese
countries account for ?%@ of worldwide uranium production. 8nly about %@ is mined here
in the #nited 1tates, however.
:nnually, about &9,&99 metric tons of uranium are produced worldwide *#ranium-*$99;- .
Siven this statistic, the #nited 1tates mines roughly 1,&1& metric tons of uranium annually.
*0mage sourceG Wikipedia-
How much of our energ/ needs can uranium provide?
#ranium is a heavy metal that can be used as an abundant source of concentrated energy.
: very small amount of uranium can be converted into a very large amount of energy. #ranium
provides about 1$@ of the world(s electricity which is generated in nuclear reactors. his
amounts to more than $&99 kWh *kilowatts- each year. his basic electricity is provided to
people worldwide to power homes, businesses, and more.
:side from providing basic electricity, uranium can be used as a military source of fuel.
3omb-grade uranium is highly enriched compared to uranium for domestic power use*up to ;9@
#-$%& instead of up to &@-. #ranium is ideal for nuclear bombs because of a process that it
undergoes called nuclear fission, which occurs when a neutron and a target nucleus collide. :
powerful chain reaction is created and a significant amount of energy is created as a result.
Not only is uranium used in Qust energy form= it can be used in physical form as well.
#ranium can also be used as an additive for glass and ceramics, a toner in photography, or as an
additive for the preparation of biological samples for electrons and other minor applications.
(hat are the best estimates for the purel/ financial cost of nuclear power generated
electricit/?
0n the production of nuclear energy, total cost is based upon the costs associated with the
purchasing of uranium, conversion, enrichment, and fabrication services along with storage and
shipment costs, and any inventory charges.
!or a typical 3W7 *boiling water reactor- or EW7 *pressuri6ed water reactor-, the
appro"imate cost of fuel for one reload *replaces one third of the core- is roughly UC9 million,
based on a 1>-month typical refueling cycle. 0n $91$, the average fuel cost at a nuclear power
plant was 9.A& cents per kWh. 1ince nuclear plants are refueled every 1>-$C months, fluctuating
fuel prices are not a concern compared to natural gas and oil power plants.
0ncluded in the price of nuclear power are the costs related to waste management. :bout
U%&.> billion *or 1H19th of a cent per kWh of electricity generated at nuclear power plants since
1;>% with interest- is devoted to funds committed for the Nuclear Waste !und. Eer each nuclear
power plant, about U%99 million to U&99 million covers the cost of estimated used fuel *U199
million- and site restoration *about U%99 million-.
(hat are the leveli1ed costs per k(h?
Beveli6ed energy cost *B'5, also known as Beveli6ed 5ost of 'nergy, abbreviated
B58'- is the price at which electricity must be generated from a specific source to in order to
break even over the lifetime of the proQect. his economic assessment includes all costs of
running a nuclear power plant such as initial investment, maintenance, fuel cost, and more. 0n
$91$, the estimated total system leveli6ed cost of advanced nuclear plants was ;?.1 #1OHmWh
*megawatts- *5osts-.
(hat are fuel costs annuall/ or per k(h? )onstruction costs for a new plant? Operating
and maintenance costs?
:s mentioned previously, the average cost of fuel at a nuclear power plant was 9.A&
centsHkWh. :nnually, the leveli6ed cost of advanced nuclear plants was ;?.1 #1OHmWh in total.
he construction cost estimates for new nuclear power plants vary greatly and have
increased significantly in recent years. otal costs of a new nuclear plant are estimated to be
within the range of U&,&99HkWh to U>,199HkWh. his translates to a cost between U? billion and
U; billion for each 1,199 2W plant established. Tust in the years from $999-$99$, the costs for
new nuclear units were between U1,$99HkWh and U1,&99HkWh.
he average non-fuel operation and maintenance cost for a nuclear power plant in $91$
was reported to be 1.?& centsHkWh.
Works 5ited
DA 7easons Why Nuclear Eower 0s 3ad for the 'nvironment and the Nation.D E3a!iner%co!.
N.p., n.d. Web. $A :pr. $91C.
D5ostsG !uel, 8peration, Waste Oisposal L Bife 5ycle.D Nuclear Ener#y $nstitute +. N.p., n.d.
Web. $> :pr. $91C.
D7adioactive Waste and #ranium 2ines.D )) WorstPolluted%or# ) Pro4ects Reports. N.p., n.d.
Web. $C :pr. $91C.
Dhe #niversity of 2ichigan Health Ehysics Web 1iteG 7isks of Nuclear Eower.D The &ni2ersity
of Michi#an Health Physics We" Site) Risks of Nuclear Power. N.p., n.d. Web. $? :pr.
$91C.
D#ranium 2ining.D Wikipedia. Wikimedia !oundation, :pr. $91C. Web. $A :pr. $91C.
DWhat 0s #raniumK How Ooes 0t WorkKD What $s &raniu!? How Does $t Work. N.p., n.d. Web.
$; :pr. $91C.
Question Number 1$ - 7euben 3arnes
&cience %nvolved in 2lobal )limate )hange34elation to 5missions of Nuclear ower lants
4euben -arnes
What is the greenhouse effect and how is it related to global climate change"
o $he greenhouse effect is when gasses that can absorb the energ" that is
released from the sun and back out from the earth. =hen the sun's ra"s
penetrate the Earth the" are absorbed b" the ground% then this energ" is
released back out. Now some of that energ" goes back in space but the rest of it
is captured b" greenhouse gasses that are in the atmosphere. 6$he" collect this
heat energ" and hold it in the atmosphere% dela"ing its passage back out
of the atmosphere.7$hese gasses are the onl" things that can capture the
infrared ra"s that are released from the sun. $his is necessar" for our planet but
at the same time if there is an excessive amount of gasses to capture heat then it
will negativel" affect the planet. $he greenhouse effect is necessar" because
those gasses that are trapped inside keep the Earth warm% without it the
temperature would decrease to an unlivable pointL the earth would be so cold
that we would freeJe to death. Iowever if there are too man" gasses that are
trapped in the atmosphere then it can cause a huge increase in heat% this is
because when there are extra greenhouse gasses in the air the" capture an
excessive amount which can result with a unusual release of heat. $he increase
in heat is caused b" all the carbon dioxide that is released into the air% with all of
the machiner" that re&uires gasoline or fossil fuels all emit a large amount of
carbon dioxide. Eo due to all of the emissions the global climate is heated up and
then unbalanced. $his climate change can affect a lot of things that are on the
planet% for example 6Gising temperature also means melting glaciers and
rising sea level through addition of melt water to the oceans. Eea level
rose about * foot during the last centur"% mostl" from thermal expansion of
the oceans.7. $his increase in temperature will clearl" affect us in the end
which will damage our societ" and can be ver" deadl".
o
What are greenhouse gases and what about their structure makes them
greenhouse gases"
o Nreenhouse gasses are certain gasses that are in the atmosphere% these gasses
are water vapor% carbon dioxide% methane oJone% and nitrous oxide. Each of
these absorbs the infrared radiation that is emitted from the sun. Hnce the" have
captured some of that energ" the" can slowl" release it back into the atmosphere
which then creates heat. Each one of these specific gasses are bonded b" two or
more molecules% now each one of these bonds are loose% so when the" absorb
the energ" the" will vibrate and can release the heat again. (ll other t"pes of
gasses have to tight bonds and therefore do not contribute to the greenhouse
effect.
o
1itesG
<$he Nreenhouse Effect.< reen!ouse Effect: Background "aterial. N.p.% n.d. =eb. 22
(pr. 2-*5.
<$he Nreenhouse Effect.< #!e reen!ouse Effect. N.p.% n.d. =eb. .- (pr. 2-*5.
http9::www.columbia.edu:Ov8d*:greenhouse.gif
http9::www.ucar.edu:learn:images:radiate.gif
&cience %nvolved in 2lobal )limate )hange34elation to 5missions of Nuclear ower lants