The Return of Nuclear Power By Mark Treat

Outline Benefits of Nuclear Power Production Benefits of Nuclear Power Production Features Of Generation III Reactors Features Of Generation III Reactors What to do with nuclear waste What to do with nuclear waste

Benefits of Nuclear Power The energy provided by one Uranium Fuel pellet (about the size of your little finger) is equivalent to 1780 lbs of coal, or 17000cf of natural gas The energy provided by one Uranium Fuel pellet (about the size of your little finger) is equivalent to 1780 lbs of coal, or 17000cf of natural gas Air pollution associated with coal fired and natural gas plants is non-existent Air pollution associated with coal fired and natural gas plants is non-existent Nuclear Plant operation cost is roughly 50-80% less than other sources Nuclear Plant operation cost is roughly 50-80% less than other sources Through the use of “Breeder Reactors” electricity could be generated at current levels for 1000 years Through the use of “Breeder Reactors” electricity could be generated at current levels for 1000 years There have been no fatalities as a result of operating nuclear reactors in the U.S. in the last 40 years There have been no fatalities as a result of operating nuclear reactors in the U.S. in the last 40 years

Generation III Reactors Pebble Bed Modular Reactors Westinghouse AP1000

Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Fueled with Uranium contained in “pebbles” composed of graphite, pyrolitic carbon and silicon carbide Fueled with Uranium contained in “pebbles” composed of graphite, pyrolitic carbon and silicon carbide Uses Helium to drive the gas turbine. Helium is incombustible and can not become radioactive Uses Helium to drive the gas turbine. Helium is incombustible and can not become radioactive The PBMR is incapable of going into meltdown The PBMR is incapable of going into meltdown Each PBMR produces 168MWe and has start up costs of $1000/kW in clusters of 8 Each PBMR produces 168MWe and has start up costs of $1000/kW in clusters of 8

Pebble Bed Reactor

Westinghouse AP1000 The AP600 is a simplified, more robust version of a generation II steam turbine nuclear plant The AP600 is a simplified, more robust version of a generation II steam turbine nuclear plant Safety systems are designed to reduce reliance on point failure sources such as pumps, fans, diesel motors and chillers by using natural forces Safety systems are designed to reduce reliance on point failure sources such as pumps, fans, diesel motors and chillers by using natural forces The AP600 will produce 600MWe and has start up costs of $1200/kW The AP600 will produce 600MWe and has start up costs of $1200/kW

Simplification In The AP600

Westinghouse AP1000

The Big Problem Radioactive Waste There are many options for disposal and reduction of nuclear waste The proposed Yucca Mountain facility The proposed Yucca Mountain facility Disposal in the ocean at a subduction fault Disposal in the ocean at a subduction fault Disposal in the arctic ice cap Disposal in the arctic ice cap Reprocessing to recover fissionable material and reduce waste which must be disposed. Reprocessing to recover fissionable material and reduce waste which must be disposed.

Yucca Mountain Stainless steel and Nickel alloy 22 will be used to insure long life Stainless steel and Nickel alloy 22 will be used to insure long life Waste containers and tunnels are designed to handle punishment Waste containers and tunnels are designed to handle punishment Yucca Mountain’s dry climate and natural geological makeup slow the travel of radioactive particles Yucca Mountain’s dry climate and natural geological makeup slow the travel of radioactive particles

Summary Nuclear Power is a viable source of electricity It is economically more sound than other forms of energy production It is economically more sound than other forms of energy production It is environmentally friendly It is environmentally friendly New designs are making Nuclear Power safer and more efficient New designs are making Nuclear Power safer and more efficient There are multiple options for nuclear waste disposal There are multiple options for nuclear waste disposal

Works Cited coal.html coal.html coal.html coal.html ar_waste_future/nuclear_waste_future.html ar_waste_future/nuclear_waste_future.html ar_waste_future/nuclear_waste_future.html ar_waste_future/nuclear_waste_future.html 2/nwdo.htm 2/nwdo.htm 2/nwdo.htm 2/nwdo.htm