Safety of Nuclear Power Plant
Question 3
A nuclear power plant (NPP) make used of its nuclear power to generate electricity. The expression “nuclear power” is defined as a controlled release of energy by nuclear fission or nuclear fusion reactions (Nuclear Power, 2004, p. 2809). The world’s first exposure to nuclear power came with the detonation of two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 by the army of the United State of America (Nuclear Power, 2004, p. 2809). At that time, scientists believed that the power of nuclear energy can be harnessed for effective use such as the generation of electricity instead of weapons. Currently, there are approximately 430 nuclear reactors devoted to the generation of electricity operating worldwide (Nuclear Power, 2004, p. 2809).
In general, NPP consists of a reactor, coolant system, electrical power generation unit, and safety system (The Nuclear Power Plant, 2004, p. 2810). The main source of energy created for the generation of electricity happens in a nuclear reactor in which neutrons are collided with uranium-235 or plutonium-239 (fuel) to create a nuclear fission reaction (The Nuclear Power Plant, 2004, p. 2810). Products of energy, fission products and free neutrons are released (The Nuclear Power Plant, 2004, p. 2810). Therefore, chain reactions will continue to occur. To obtain a controlled release of energy, there must be a constant reliable flow of neutrons (The Nuclear Power Plant, 2004, p. 2810). A moderator and control rods are used to reduce the speed and number of neutrons respectively (The Nuclear Power Plant, 2004, p. 2810). “Coolant such as pressurized water, liquid sodium, or carbon dioxide gas” is used to absorb the heat energy produced in the reactor to allow it to boil or the heat absorbed is used to boil water (The Nuclear Power Plant, 2004, p. 2810). The steam produced is used to turn the turbine which in turn, turns the generator to produce electricity (The Nuclear Power Plant, 2004, p. 2810).
A nuclear power plant (NPP) make used of its nuclear power to generate electricity. The expression “nuclear power” is defined as a controlled release of energy by nuclear fission or nuclear fusion reactions (Nuclear Power, 2004, p. 2809). The world’s first exposure to nuclear power came with the detonation of two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 by the army of the United State of America (Nuclear Power, 2004, p. 2809). At that time, scientists believed that the power of nuclear energy can be harnessed for effective use such as the generation of electricity instead of weapons. Currently, there are approximately 430 nuclear reactors devoted to the generation of electricity operating worldwide (Nuclear Power, 2004, p. 2809).
In general, NPP consists of a reactor, coolant system, electrical power generation unit, and safety system (The Nuclear Power Plant, 2004, p. 2810). The main source of energy created for the generation of electricity happens in a nuclear reactor in which neutrons are collided with uranium-235 or plutonium-239 (fuel) to create a nuclear fission reaction (The Nuclear Power Plant, 2004, p. 2810). Products of energy, fission products and free neutrons are released (The Nuclear Power Plant, 2004, p. 2810). Therefore, chain reactions will continue to occur. To obtain a controlled release of energy, there must be a constant reliable flow of neutrons (The Nuclear Power Plant, 2004, p. 2810). A moderator and control rods are used to reduce the speed and number of neutrons respectively (The Nuclear Power Plant, 2004, p. 2810). “Coolant such as pressurized water, liquid sodium, or carbon dioxide gas” is used to absorb the heat energy produced in the reactor to allow it to boil or the heat absorbed is used to boil water (The Nuclear Power Plant, 2004, p. 2810). The steam produced is used to turn the turbine which in turn, turns the generator to produce electricity (The Nuclear Power Plant, 2004, p. 2810).
References: 1. Nuclear Power. (2004, February). Gale Encyclopedia of Science 3, p. 2809. 2. The Nuclear Power Plant. (2004, February). Gale Encyclopedia of Science 3, p. 2810. 3. Tipping, Philip G. (2010). Understanding and Mitigating Ageing in Nuclear Power Plants - Materials and Operational Aspects of Plant Life Management (PLiM). (pp: 614-624). Woodhead Publishing. 4. Nuclear Waste Management. (2004, February). Gale Encyclopedia of Science 3, p. 2811.