7: Nuclear Energy
- Page ID
- 93475
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Even before the atomic bomb had been produced, scientists and engineers had begun to think about the possibility of using the energy released by the fission process for the production of electrical energy. In the United States, only 19.7 percent of the electrical energy in 2016 was produced by this nuclear energy. The proportion is higher in some other countries, notably France and Slovakia. Unfortunately, producing power from atomic fission has turned out to be much more expensive than was previously expected. Even in these days of high prices for fossil fuels, it is still only barely competitive.
- 7.1: Sharing and Monitoring Nuclear Technology
- The United Nations established the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) in 1957. This group serves as the world's nuclear watchdog and has three goals to oversee: Assist all member countries with peaceful uses of nuclear technology Inspect nuclear facilities to ensure weapons are not being constructed Provide information regarding safety of nuclear materials.
- 7.2: Generating Electricity
- Fission reactions can be used in the production of electricity if we control the rate at which the fission occurs. The great majority of all electrical generating systems all follow a reasonably simple design.
- 7.3: Powering the United States
- Production of electricity can involve either one of two primary energy sources. For example, a country employs nonrenewable sources like natural gas, petroleum, coal, or nuclear energy to supply power to homes and industry. In addition, an area might choose to incorporate renewable energy sources to meet their consumers' needs. Examples of these would include biomass, hydropower, geothermal, wind, and solar energies.
- 7.4: Generating Electricity by Using Fission
- In 2017, there were ninety-nine working nuclear reactors in the United States. The majority of these reactors are on the eastern side of the country. Each reactor site houses between one and three reactors. The average age of these nuclear reactors is approximately thirty-six years. Each year, reactor units are rigorously inspected for safety. In addition, reactors that cannot meet safety measures or are not able to be upgraded will be place on shut-down.
- 7.5: United States Commercial Nuclear Power Reactors
- In 2017, there were ninety-nine working nuclear reactors in the United States. The majority of these reactors are on the eastern side of the country. Each reactor site houses between one and three reactors. The average age of these nuclear reactors is approximately thirty-six years. Each year, reactor units are rigorously inspected for safety. Also, reactors that cannot meet safety measures or are not able to be upgraded will be placed on shut-down.
- 7.6: Funding and Licensing for United States Commercial Nuclear Reactors
- While nuclear reactors are an incredible source of carbon-free energy, it is important to note the various costs and licensing that is needed to successfully complete such a large-scale infrastructure project from start to finish. The largest hurdle in financing nuclear projects derives from the upfront construction costs required to assemble these infrastructure projects. All upfront costs fall under the responsibility of the project owner, which can be a massive undertaking. Before owners with
- 7.7: South Carolina Energy
- Oconee Nuclear Power Plant is located in Seneca, South Carolina. This facility is owned and operated by Duke Energy. The three reactors were constructed and then commissioned in the early 1970's. The approximate cost for the building of these three units was 1.96 billion dollars (2007). Each of the three units produces 846 megawatts (106 watts) of energy per year. In total, Oconee Nuclear Station has a maximum output capacity of 2500 megawatts of energy per year.
- 7.8: Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident
- The accident at Three Mile Island halted all construction of new nuclear power plants in the United States. Many citizens became fearful of nuclear power in general and became supportive of other types of energy sources.
- 7.9: Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster
- The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident that occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in on April 26, 1986. It is considered the worst nuclear power plant disaster in history. A nuclear meltdown in one of the reactors caused a fire that sent a plume of radioactive fallout that eventually spread all over Europe.
- 7.10: Fukushima Nuclear Disaster
- In 2011, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan was badly damaged by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami. Three reactors up and running at the time were shut down automatically, but the tsunami quickly flooded the emergency generators and cut power to the pumps that circulated coolant water through the reactors. High-temperature steam in the reactors produced hydrogen gas that exploded. Radioactive material was released from the containment vessels as a result.
- 7.11: Transporting and Storage of Nuclear Waste
- Like other industrial processes, generating electricity from nuclear power or making nuclear weapons creates waste. These radioactive and chemically toxic wastes result from the mining and processing of uranium as well as from storing or reprocessing spent reactor fuel.
- 7.13: Additional Types of Nuclear Reactors
- As of 2017, the United States only used light water (LW) moderator thermal reactors. Fission powered both boiling water (BWR) and pressurized water (PWR) reactors. For research purposes, the United States does utilize heavy water, graphite moderator, and fast neutron reactors. The United States does not employ graphite moderated or liquid metal cooled reactors for commercial purposes.
Thumbnail: The mushroom cloud of the atomic bombing of the Japanese city of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, rose some 11 mi (18 km) above the bomb's hypocenter. Public Domain.
Contributors and Attributions
Ed Vitz (Kutztown University), John W. Moore (UW-Madison), Justin Shorb (Hope College), Xavier Prat-Resina (University of Minnesota Rochester), Tim Wendorff, and Adam Hahn.