Nuclear Energy

for
Electricity generation
 Introduction

From energy engineering prospective nuclear energy

is the controlled release of that energy for application
of human purpose such as generation of electricity

Nuclear energy can be obtained either through “fission”

(splitting nucleus of heavy atom to two or more smaller
nuclei) or through “fusion” that is joining to light nuclei to
larger one
Controversy over NPP

No CO2 emission at the end-use stage of its life cycle

Air pollution during electricity generation is minimum
Large amount of power is produced- replacing NPP is
difficult due to larger capacity

Radioactive by product is harmful for human and

environment
Safety operation is one major concern
Basic Principle of Nuclear Energy
• Atom consist of electron, neutron and proton
• Neutrons and Protons are concentrated in Nucleus

A XZ
• X-chemical symbol of atom
• Z-atomic number (number of protons or electrons)
• A- mass number (sum of number of neutrons and
protons, each proton and neutron has one Atomic
Mass Unit (AMU))
• 1 proton – 1.673 x10^-27 kg; 1 neutron =1.675 x 10^-
27 kg
 Cont.…
• Atoms having same number of protons and having
different mass is known as “isotopes”
• Some isotopes of some elements are unstable and
disintegrate spontaneously
• Isotopes that are not stable emit radiation till more
stable nucleus is reached. This radioactive decay
consists of radioactive rays
• Binding energy is the energy that holds protons and
neutrons of the atom together. Binding energy is a
function of A and Z
 Cont..
According to the Einstein theory
E=mc^2
• Mass of a nucleus is the mass of individual particles
within the nucleus minus mass equivalent of the binding
energy that holds the nucleus together.
• This energy is released during the nuclear reaction
• Binding energy is increased rapidly with the increase of
AMU and then decay
 Cont.….
• Fissioning of uranium (U-235) is the most common
reaction used for release of nuclear energy
• U-235 is combined with thermal neutron, which is a
product of the chain reaction. The neutron of the chain
reaction is slowed by the substances of the reactor site.
• Most probable energy of thermal neutron can be
calculated as
Ep=0.5 kT
k= 8.617 x 10^-5 eV – Boltzmann’s constant
T- temperature in K
 Cont..
• When U-235 is struck by a thermal neutron
U-235 +n U-236

• U-236 is unstable isotope and following two

reactions follows
U-236 Kr36 +Ba56 + 2.4 n +200 MeV
U-236 U- 236 + γ
• The first reaction occurs in about 85% of cases
• The second reaction occurs in about 15% of cases
Example

Calculate amount of energy released by 1 kg of pure

U-235. Consider 85% of pure U-235 contributes for
fission reaction. If 1 kg of pure coal releases 32.8 MJ
compare the energy released by U-235 (1 kg) with one
1 kg of coal
Chain reaction
Uranium

99% of uranium available in nature is U-238, and only

0.7% is U-235
Some reactors require 2-3 % of U-236 to continue the
nuclear reaction. Therefore, uranium must be enriched

Uranium is prepared in mills and U is isolated form ore

Then, enriched and formed in to pallets or rods to be
inserted to the reactor
Component of Nuclear Reactor

• Nuclear fuel
• Control rods
• Moderator to slow the neutrons
• Reflector to stop the neutrons to escape
• Coolant to cool the reactor core
• Shielding to protect against radiation from
escaping reactor
• Nuclear fuel may be in the from of solid, liquid or
gases
• Fuel that is used :
Uranium -235; Plutonium-239; Plutonium-241
• Uranium can be naturally found
• The rate of reaction is controlled by the control rod
which is able to absorb the neutrons
•
• When all control rods are inserted to the rector core
then reactor shuts down
• The water level of the reactor core also is
important. The core should be fully covered
• Moderator: This material in the reactor core is used
to reduce the neutron speed to a value that
increases the probability of fission occurring
(graphite and heavy water)
• Reflector : This completely surrounds the reactor
core within the thermal shielding arrangement and
helps to bounce the neutrons back to the core
• Shielding: This helps to give protection from
radioactive product
• Coolant : This is used to transfer the heat generated
by the reactor to the steam generator
• Most smaller atoms produced by the fission process are fission products
(xenon, krypton, iodine, cesium)
• These products are radioactive and will undergo radioactive decay. Most
decay quickly and will be gone within several days. Some, however,
remain in the nuclear fuel for many years, and must be contained to
prevent injury to the public
Nuclear energy and society:

Under the normal operation of NPP, emission of CO2

is minimum. Therefore, countries with larger portion
of NPP have minimum per capita CO2 compare to the
other countries (Ex. France – 74 % of electrical energy
comes from NPP, per capita CO2 is 6.2%/ U.S -20%)

Radioactive by-product is very harmful for the humans

and environment, therefore they should be isolated
until radioactive property decays. However, volume of
This waste is much smaller than any other solid waste.
 Uranium extraction process
Extraction of uranium takes place in mines
similar to the coal mines. Peoples works in mines do not
expose to the radioactive product.
Extraction of uranium ore involves some risks of
exposure
to radiation means milling process is harmful. Therefore,
people involve ware special cloths and shoes.
After extraction of uranium from ore, it is enriched and
made the rods and palates.
The depleted U-238 in this process may be useful for
some other activities
Radiation risk at plant operation
Both employers of NPP and people living in the vicinity
of the plant may have risk to the radiation. Employers
ware special clothes and protective equipment.
NPP are constructed in locations population is minimum

Radiation risk due to plant failure

Due to failure both people and environment are
Contaminated. Those areas need to be isolated for
years (ex: Chernobyl)
Radioactive waste management

High level waste : spent fuel from reactor

Low level waste : cooling water from reactor, garment

Of plant employees
• ADVANTAGES
 Nuclear power generation does emit relatively low
amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2). The emissions of
green house gases and therefore the contribution of
nuclear power plants to global warming is therefore
relatively little.
 This technology is readily available, it does not have
to be developed first.
 It is possible to generate a high amount of electrical
energy in one single plant
Capacity of Nuclear Power

Country Number Net Output

(MW)
USA 104 101465
France 58 63,130

Japan 50 44215
Russian 33 23643
Federation
Suitability of NPP in Sri Lanka

Major Factors to be considered

• Technological
• Financial
• Environmental
• Social
System load curve