Electric Power Generation and the Environment Health Physics Society Power Reactor Section
History Of Electricity Static Electricity – Ancient Greeks Franklin Invents Lightning Rods Faraday Discovers Electromagnetic Induction – early 1800’s Edison Invents the Light Bulb and Generating Stations in NYC – 1882 Tesla Invents Alternating Current Motor for Westinghouse
Faraday’s Law Moving a magnet through a wire loop produces an electric current. Called “electromagnetic” induction.
Generator A generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy
North America At Night
Earth At Night
U.S. Sources Today Source: EIA - Updated 11/03 (2002)
Future Energy Need
Sources Tomorrow (2025) ?
Energy Policy Goals Increase energy supply Optimize available resources Develop new technology Limiting environmental impact
A Question Of Balance
Pros & Cons COAL HYDRO NATURAL GAS SOLAR & WIND cheap and abundant but source of greenhouse gases clean but seasonal and no new sources cleaner than coal but limited supply renewable but expensive, low energy density, and intermittent
Pros & Cons NUCLEAR high energy density no air pollution reliable fuel supply but what about safety, security, and waste?
High Energy Density Each person in the United States uses either: 4 tons of coal or a few ounces of uranium 1 pellet = 150 gallons gasoline 1780 pounds coal 16,000 ft 3 natural gas 2.5 tons wood
No Air Pollution
Global Nuclear Power 442 Nuclear Plants Worldwide 25% in the United States Strong growth internationally, China is the fastest growing maket Source: International Atomic Energy Agency
103 Nuclear Power Reactors
But What About… Safety, Security, and Waste? Designed, Constructed, and Operated for Safety Robust Security Used Fuel Storage at Yucca Mountain
Safety By Design: Low “Enrichment” Fission “chain reaction”: E = m * c 2 U-235 atoms fission. 5% in fuel, 95% in bombs.
Safety By Design: Fuel Rods The uranium fuel is made of solid ceramic pellets. The fuel pellets are sealed inside zirconium alloy rods that are about 13’ long. ~236 rods in each assembly ~200 assemblies in the reactor core
Safety By Design: Reactor Vessel Typical values: Weight: 400 tons Thickness: 8 inches Fuel Assemblies (Core)
Safety By Design: PWR Containment Initial Construction Completed Concrete Dome
Multiple Layers of Protection
Nuclear Plant Security Areas Vital Area Owner Controlled Area Protected Area
Active Vehicle Barrier System
Intrusion Detection CCTV on poles Delay Fence Intrusion Detection Perimeter checks Roving Patrols
Defensive Fighting Position
Fuel Assemblies Cool In Pools
Temporary Dry Storage On Site
Yucca Mountain Site
Careers in Nuclear Design Next Generation Power Plants Equipment Reliability Transportation Casks Engineering Electrical and Mechanical Instrumentation and Control Nuclear
Careers in Nuclear Health Physics Environmental Operations Regulations Chemistry Corrosion Protection
Websites Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nuclear Energy Institute Health Physics Society
Thanks …for your interest and patience !