Nuclear energy Ashfield Direct Learning Anthony Spalding Ks4 Energy

Nuclear power  Nuclear fuel is a non- renewable energy source.  It has many advantages to fossil fuels for example it does not produce carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide.  It works by capturing the energy of decaying atoms  This energy is seen here

Water cooled reactor  This is a water cooled reactor.  the water is heated to boiling point by passing through the reactor this can be dangerous since the water is exposed directly to the nuclear rods;

Water cooled reactor

Reactor Core  The reactor core works by pumping water around fuel rods.  The radiation heats the water to steam.  The reaction is slowed by using carbon rods.

The Advantages of Nuclear energy  The cost of fuel and the amount used is relatively low.  It doesn’t produce carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide pollution.  They are flexible in meeting demand.

The Disadvantages of Nuclear energy  The cost of building and de-commissioning add largely to the unit cost of energy produced.  They have the longest start up time compared to coal oil or gas.  Waste stays dangerously radioactive for thousands of years.

Nuclear waste  Although nuclear energy doesn’t produce pollution it does create radioactive waste.  This waste can be radioactive for thousands of years and proper storage can be expensive.