Nuclear Power Plant

Introduction
 Nuclear Energy

Nuclear Energy is derived by splitting the nucleus of

atoms.

The splitting process is called fission. It is achieved

by making the nucleus unstable by adding a neutron

to the nucleus.

Not all atoms can be fissioned.

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Perspective

Nuclear fission is the source of energy in a reactor.

Neutron interacts with Uranium/Plutonium(fuel)
and causes fission.
Fission produces neutrons; hence chain reaction.

For fission Uranium/Plutonium and neutrons

needed.
Nuclear Reactor also contains other materials
e.g., container, moderator, coolant, control
materials
Structure of Atom

Hydrogen

Helium

Lithium

Uranium
 Structure of Atom
ATOM
Atom diameter in the range of 10-8 cm
Nucleus
Atomic Nucleus diameter in the range of 10-13 10-12 cm
short-range protons and neutrons; attractive forces
Orbital electrons: as many as protons. (Charge: 1.6 x 10-19 C)
Atom stable/unstable depending on internal energy.
Excess energy liberated in radiation.
Radiation leads to higher stability.
Isotopes: Same Z, different N
20 elements have only one isotope
In thermal energy, the heat released from the chemical
reaction of carbon with oxygen (i.e. sharing of
electrons) is used. The nucleus is untouched. What is
formed is only a chemical compound (CO2).

Oxygen atom

6
Atoms which are capable of being fissioned easily (i.e.
using slow moving neutrons) are called fissile atoms.
They are: U235, U233 & Pu239 (note the odd numbers)
Only U235 is naturally available.
Others are man-made.

Atoms which can be fissioned only by using fast

neutrons are called fissionable atoms: U238 & Th232
(note the even numbers)

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 Chemical and Nuclear energy releases
Chemical: Electro-magnetic Force.
In a chemical reaction, electrons are re-arranged.
e.g. (a) burning of coal, (b) ionisation of gas.

13 eV
proton electron
Hydrogen atom
Nuclear: Nuclear Force.
In a nuclear reaction, nucleus is re-arranged.
e.g. (a) radioactivity, (b) fission, (c) fusion.

2,000,000 eV
proton neutron (2 MeV)
deuterium
nucleus
Nuclear Fission
MASS DEFECT IS
CONVERTED
INTO ENERGY AS
PER EINSTEINS
FAMOUS
EQUATION
E=MC2

MASS AFTER

MASS BEFORE
 BINDING ENERGY

The nucleons (protons & neutrons) are held by nuclear forces.

The mass of a nucleus < the sum of the nucleon masses.
The mass-difference is called mass defect.
The mass defect accounts for the binding energy.

Binding Energy per Nucleon

Varies with atomic mass number (A).

Maximum: 8.79 MeV at A = 56
Decreases to about 7.6 MeV for A = 238.
Binding Energy per nucleon
0 50 100 150 200 250
10 10
Binding energy per nucleon (MeV)

0.9 MeV
8 8
Fission
6 6

4
Fusion 4

2 2

0 0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Number of nucleons, A

Fission Energy ~ 236 x 0.9 = 210 MeV

 FISSION PROCESS
A heavy nucleus, splits into 2 smaller nuclei (fragments)
About 200 MeV Energy released.
[Energy from complete fissioning of 1 gram of Uranium
= Energy from complete burning of 3 tonnes of Coal.]
Notice a factor
of 3 Million

2 or more neutrons emitted (with average energy 2 MeV).

 PARTICLES RELEASED IN FISSION
Radioactivity
Fission fragments in excited state
Return to stable state by emitting radiation
, &
Delayed neutrons.
Prompt neutrons.
Neutrinos

Neutrons + U/Pu not always fissions; Also other reactions.

Neutrons interact with materials inserted, and with those produced.
Neutrons produced in fissions, lost in absorption and escape(leakage).
Neutron reactions depend selectively on neutron energy.
Unstable nuclides emit radiation by decay or disintegrate
alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, etc.
Radiation may be natural or induced.
After the radiation, the product (daughter) may have very
different properties..
Fission is a kind of disintegration.
 Nuclear Fission Examples

235 1 141 92 1

92
U + 0
n 56
Ba + 36
Kr + 30
n

235 1 138 96 1

92
U + 0
n 55
Cs + 37
Rb+ 20
n
 Energy from Fission

Both the fission fragments and neutrons travel at

high speed.
The kinetic energy of the products of fission are far
greater than that of the bombarding neutron and
target atom.

EK before fission << EK after fission

Energy is being released as a result of the fission reaction.

 Energy from Fission

235 1 138 96 1

92
U + 0
n 55
Cs + 37
Rb+ 20
n
Element Atomic Mass (kg)
235 U 3.9014 x 10-25
92
138 Cs 2.2895 x 10-25
55
96 1.5925 x 10-25
37Rb
1 n 1.6750 x 10-27
0
 Energy from Fission

Calculate the total mass before and after fission takes place.

The total mass before fission (LHS of the equation):

3.9014 x 10-25 + 1.6750 x 10-27 = 3.91815 x 10-25 kg

The total mass after fission (RHS of the equation):

2.2895 x 10-25 + 1.5925 x 10-25 + (2 x 1.6750 x 10-27) = 3.9155 x 10-25 kg

 Energy from Fission

The total mass before fission = 3.91815 x 10-25 kg

The total mass after fission = 3.91550 x 10-25 kg

Total Mass Before Fission > Total Mass After Fission

 Energy from Fission

mass difference, m = total mass before fission total mass after fission

m = 3.91815 x 10-25 3.91550 x 10-25

m = 2.65 x 10-28 kg

This reduction in mass results in the release of energy.

 Energy Released

The energy released can be calculated using the equation:

E = mc2

Where:
E = energy released (J)
m = mass difference (kg)
c = speed of light in a vacuum (3 x 108 ms-1)
 Energy from Fission

Calculate the energy released from the following

fission reaction:
235 1 138 96 1
92 U + 0n 55Cs + 37Rb+ 20n
m = 2.65 x 10-28 kg E = mc2
c = 3 x 108 ms-1 E = 2.65 x 10-28 x (3 x 108)2
E=E E = 2.385 x 10-11 J
 Energy from Fission

The energy released from this fission reaction does

not seem a lot.

This is because it is produced from the fission of

a single nucleus.

Large amounts of energy are released when a

large number of nuclei undergo fission reactions.
 Energy from Fission

Each uranium-235 atom has a mass of 3.9014 x 10-25 kg.

The total number of atoms in 1 kg of uranium-235 can

be found as follows:

No. of atoms in 1 kg of uranium-235 = 1/3.9014 x 10-25

No. of atoms in 1 kg of uranium-235 = 2.56 x 1024 atoms

 Energy from Fission

If one uranium-235 atom undergoes a fission reaction

and releases 2.385 x 10-11 J of energy, then the amount
of energy released by 1 kg of uranium-235 can be
calculated as follows:

Total energy = energy per fission x number of atoms

total energy = 2.385 x 10-11 x 2.56 x 1024

total energy = 6.1056 x 1013 J
 CHAIN REACTION

Neutrons cause fission. Neutrons also produced in fission.

Hence a continuous chain reaction possible.
Minimum 1 neutron must be available, after losses in capture
and leakage.

U-235
U-235

U-235
U-235 U-235

U-235
Chain reactions
 Control of Chain Reactions
Uncontrolled chain reaction - Nuclear bomb
Huge energy release (of the order of million tonnes of explosive
TNT) in very short time (milliseconds), resulting in explosion.

Controlled chain reaction - Reactor

By use of neutron absorbers, exactly 1 neutron is
made available after every fission event, for continuing
the chain reaction. Reactor power is precisely
controlled from milliWatts to GigaWatts.
Steady reactor operation with constant power (energy
release per second) possible.
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 Controlling Chain Reactions

We can use control rods inserted into the uranium to slow the
chain reaction down. These absorber rods contain atoms of
Boron or Cadmium that can absorb the fission neutrons without
undergoing a fission reaction themselves.
These rods ensure that an average of one further fission
occurs after every nucleus that splits. So, only one of the 2-3
neutrons produced in the fission of a nucleus will hit another U-
235 nucleus. The other(s) will be absorbed by atoms in the
rods.
Control rod

Control rod

Control rod
D-T Fusion
 Energy release per nucleon in Fusion and Fission
Need lots of energy to get over the Coulomb Barrier
Typical Fusion reaction (D-T):

4
2
1 H + 3 H
1 2He +n

4
2
1H mass = 2.014 u 2He mass = 4.003 u
3
1H mass = 3.016 u n mass = 1.009 u

Total initial mass = 5.030 u Final mass = 5.012 u

m = 0.018 u; times 931.5 gives E = 17 MeV

This is 3.4 MeV / A ;

For fission it is 0.9 MeV / A

 Comparison of energy potential
1 kg any body with
100 meters to fall has 0.00027 kWh

1 kg of coal releases 7.76 kWh

1 kg of gasoline has 12.17 kWh

1 kg U-235 or Pu-239
consumed in fission yields 25,132,700 kWh

1 kg of hydrogen converted
into helium yields 188,169,000 kWh
 Energy Scenario in India

At the time of independence (1947), India's installed capacity of

electricity generation was merely 1500Mwe.

India has reached a level of 1,42,000 MWe during last 5 decades.

The average annual per capita electricity consumption in India is

still low i.e. 700 KW-hr per year as compared to 5000 KW-hr per
year in Europe and 10000 KW-hr per year in USA.

To achieve a modestly high level of economic growth, the

domestic electricity generation capacity needs to be increased to
a value of 3,00,000 MWe for the next 50 yrs.
 Energy Scenario in India

70

60

50
% Share

40

30

20

10

0
Thermal Hydro Nuclear Renewable Captive
 U.S. 20%

Russia 16%

Nuclear Share in Electricity generation

Canada 15 %

U.K. 20% Germany India3 %

France
31%
Japan29 % 79%
Nuclear Share in Electricity Generation in 2010
Nuclear of Reactors in Operation Worldwide
Nuclear Power Plants in India
Number of Reactors under construction worldwide
 Comparison of Electricity Generation Plants
1000 Mwe Hydel Power 1000 Mwe Nuclear Power 1000 Mwe Coal Fired
Plant Plant Power Plant

Land required: 20 Hectares Land required: 70 Hectares

Fuel : 120 Te/Yr Fuel : 38,00,000 Te/Yr

 The Greenhouse effect (Global warming)
Advantages of Nuclear Power

G.H effect is the progressive gradual warming of the

earths atmosphere.

It is caused due to increase in the absorption of solar

energy due to buildup of CO2 in atmosphere. CO2 is
produced when fossil fuels are burned.

The main causes of the green house effect are the

greenhouse gases, namely CO2, water vapour methane,
nitrous oxide, and the CFCs(organic compound
containing carbon, chloride & fluoride).
First self sustained nuclear chain reaction
December 2, 1942

Sir Enrico Fermi CP - 1

Generation of electricity from nuclear energy
December 20, 1951

EBR - 1

Four light bulbs illustrate EBR-1's first

success at generating electric power
 Nuclear Reactor

A system in which nuclear energy liberated as

thermal energy can be suitably designed and
controlled, and the energy liberated
extracted for human use.
It is a Multi-disciplinary, advanced
science and technology.
 NUCLEAR REACTOR
Control Rods

Coolant out

Fuel Rods
Nuclear Reactor uses Moderator
fuel with very low
enrichment, has control
rods, coolant &
moderator (to slow
down the neutrons to
increase the probability
of fission)

Coolant in 46
 Components of Nuclear Reactor

1. Fuel
2. Moderator
3. Control Rods
4. Coolant
5. Steam Generator
6. Turbine/Generator
7. Condenser
8. Cooling tower/bulk water
source
POWER RAISING, CONTROL & TRIP (SCRAM)

110 %

POWER (%)
100 %

TIME (MINUTES/HOURS) 49
LOWERING OF ALL RODS

110 %

POWER (%)
100 %

TIME (MINUTES/HOURS) 50