Nuclear Energy and the Environment

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Chapter 20

• Nuclear Energy and the Environment

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The Manhattan Project

• Race for the 1st atomic weapon
• Before Nazi Germany would make one
• Directed by Oppenheimer
• Oak Ridge, Tenn.

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University of Chicago

• The 1st human-controlled nuclear fission reaction
  took place in a makeshift reactor built under the
  football stadium steps of the University of
  Chicago
• Enrico Fermi
• 1942

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So What Is Nuclear Energy?

• Nuclear Energy
• The energy of the atomic nucleus
• Nuclear Fission
• The splitting of the atomic nuclei
• Nuclear Fusion
• The fusing of atomic nuclei
• Nuclear Reactors
• Devises that produce controlled nuclear fission

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Fission Reactors

• As fission occurs energy release
• Major components of a fission reactor
• 1) Core, 2) control rods, 3) coolant, 4)
  reactor vessel
• Burner Reactors a type of nuclear reactor that
  consumes more fissionable material than it
  produces
• Meltdown a nuclear accident in which the nuclear
  fuel forms a molten mass that breaches the
  containment of the reactor, contaminating the
  outside environment with radioactivity.

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This diagram shows the fission of U-235 nuclei.
Neutrons are given off which causes a chain
reaction.
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Here is a diagram of a fossil fuel power plant.
Take a minute to look at the diagram.
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Here is a diagram of a nuclear power plant. Take
a minute to look at the diagram and compare it to
the fossil fuel plant.
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Sustainability and Nuclear Power

• Nuclear Radiation occurs when when a radioisotope
  spontaneously undergoes radioactive decay and
  changes into another isotope
• 3 types of nuclear radiation Alpha, Beta, Gamma
• Breeder Reactor
• a type of nuclear reactor that utilizes between
  40-70 of its nuclear fuel and converts fertile
  nuclei to fissile nuclei faster than the rate of
  fission
• Produces nuclear fuels from its waste

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These are the main components of a nuclear
reactor.
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Pebble-bed nuclear reactor.
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This diagram shows you an example of the fusion
reaction of DT.
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Nuclear Energy and the Environment

• Nuclear Fuel Cycle
• the process involved in producing nuclear power
  from the mining and processing of uranium to
  controlled fission, the reprocessing of spent
  nuclear fuel, the decommissioning of power plants
  and the disposal of radioactive waste
• Each part of the cycle is associated with
  different potential environmental problems

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The nuclear fuel cycle for the U.S. nuclear
energy industry.
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Effects of Radioisotopes

• Radioisotope an isotope of a chemical element
  that spontaneously undergoes radioactive decay
• Effect Environment in 2 Ways
• Emitting radiation (alpha, beta, gamma)
• Entering ecological food chains
• Altering DNA Genetic Mutations

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Cesium-137 is released into the atmosphere by
testing atomic bombs. How does it affect the
food chain?
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Nuclear Power Plant Accidents

• Three Mile Island
• Chernobyl

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Radioactive Waste Management

• Low-Level Radioactive Waste
• Waste materials that contain sufficiently low
  concentrations or quantities of radioactivity so
  as not to present a significant environment
  hazard if properly handled (residual waste)
• Transuranic Waste
• Radioactive waste consisting of human-made
  radioactive elements heavier than uranium (from
  reactors)
• Contaminated clothing rags, tools, etc.
• High-Level Radioactive Waste
• Extremely toxic nuclear waste, such as spent fuel
  elements from commercial reactors (military fuel)
• How do we dispose of this waste material?

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Waste isolation pilot (WIPP) in New Mexico.
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Any Questions?