U ranium and Plutonium

An alternate source of electricalenergy.

Process of generating electricity from U ranium and

Plutonium
The reactor vessel (1) is a tough steel capsule that houses the fuel rods: sealed metal cylinders
containing pellets of uranium oxide.
These uranium atoms being moving rapidly and the neutrons, splits (fission) which then
releases thermal (heat) energy.
Water flows through the reactor vessel where the energy produced heats it to around 300C but
pressuriser subjects it to around 155 times atmospheric pressure, which stops it from boiling.
The reactor coolant pump circulates the hot pressurised water from the reactor vessel to the
steam generator. This water is under much less pressure, so the heat from the pipes turns it
into steam.
The steam then passes through a series of turbines, causing them to spin and converting the
heat energy produced in the reactor into mechanical energy.
A shaft connects the turbines to a generator so when the turbines spin, so does the
generator. The generator uses an electromagnetic field to convert this mechanical energy into
electrical energy.
A transformer converts the electrical energy from the generator to a high voltage. The national
grid uses high voltages to transmit electricity efficiently through the power lines.

D iagram of Process of generating electricity from

U ranium and Plutonium

Pros and Cons of N uclear Energy.

PROS
Clean Energy Production
Reliable Source of Power
Cheap Electricity
No Geographical
Limitations

CONS
Non Renewable
Huge capital investment and
advanced technology
Development of nuclear
weapons
Pollution and radioactive waste

Steps to be taken to ensure a nuclear m eltdow n does not occur

Workers in these plants must have sufficient knowledge and training in these reactors, physics
and engineering.
The safety and performance of these reactors should be improved.
Nuclear power plants should be constructed with the aim of preventing accidents.
Regular tests should be executed to ensure safety of power plans.
A series of physical barriers between the radioactive reactor core and the environment.
Multiple safety systems and back-up plans.

W hat actions should be taken if a nuclear m eltdow n does occur?

Actions that should be taken if there is a nuclear

meltdown are:
Shut down operating reactors.
Cool down reactors as soon as to remove heat from nuclear fuel.
Contain radioactive materials.
Alert the public to allow them to evacuate the surrounding area of the
nuclear plant.

BiologicalEff
ects of Radiation
Once the cell is damaged by ionizing
radiation, there are three possibilities:
1. The cell will repair itself and return
to normal.
2. The cell doesnt repair itself or
disrepair and can cause cancer.
3. The cell dies and the body returns
to normal.
Child are at higher risk for radiation
aliments since their cells reproduce at
a faster rate and the longer lifespan
can aid in the development of cancer.

BiologicalEff
ects of Radiation
1. Hair loss since the hair follicles are sensitive to radiation.
2. Radiation kills nerve cells and small blood vessels in the brain
and can cause seizures and immediate death.
3. The thyroid gland is susceptible to radioactive iodine. In
sufficient amounts, radioactive iodine can destroy all or part
of the thyroid as well as development of thyroid cancer.
4. The blood's lymphocyte cell count will be reduced, leaving the
victim more susceptible to infection referred to as mild
radiation sickness.
5. immediate damage to small blood vessels and probably cause
heart failure and death.
6. Damage to the intestinal tract lining will cause nausea, bloody
vomiting and diarrhea.

7. Some radiation sickness victims will become sterile.

BiologicalEff
ects of Radiation

ChernobylU kraine 1986 -A nuclear m eltdow n

The nuclear meltdown occurred
during anexperiment to test a way of
coolingthe reactor corein an
emergency situation.
The safety systems had been
disabled, and the reactor was being
operated under improper, unstable
conditions, a state which caused an
uncontrollable power surge to occur.
The power surge created a sudden
increase in heat, which ruptured
some of the pressure tubes holding
fuel.The hot fuel particles reacted
with water and caused a steam
explosion, which raised the 1,000-

O utcom e of the ChernobylU kraine 1986 nuclear

m eltdow n
Thirty people died of acute radiation syndrome

Thousands of cases of fatal cancers and birth defects have been reported in the
following years.
Mutations were caused in humans and animals
Chernobyl plant operators hid the mishap from authorities and the local
population, and thus the government did not even begin evacuations until 36
hours after the accident.
As authorities did not promptly reveal details of the accident, many people
unknowingly consumed contaminated food.
Contamination from the accident scattered irregularly, depending on weather
conditions.
The town known as Pripyat, was abandoned.

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