Sander Lush
Proodian
Chemistry P.4
Nuclear Sustainability Atoms are tiny particles that make up every object in the universe. Nuclear energy is the “life force” in the nucleus of an atom. There is powerful energy present in the bonds that hold the nucleus together, and this “nuclear energy” can be used to make electricity; however, that energy must first be released from atoms through nuclear fission. In a nuclear power plant, nuclear fission – the process of splitting highly-reactive atoms to form smaller atoms to release high amounts of energy -- occurs in uranium to heat water into pressurized steam, which then drives turbine generators to produce electricity. Approximately 100 nuclear power plants reside all across our country, as …show more content…
In my point of view, the sustainability of nuclear power in the United States should continue, but it must be done so very responsibly, with an effort to continuously improve nuclear power plant safety to allay public concerns. In this report, I discuss the handling options for nuclear waste, evidence of the safety of nuclear power, environmental impacts, and the handling of public sentiment against the use of nuclear sustainability, resulting in my position in favor of nuclear sustainability. One of the major challenges of nuclear sustainability is the handling of waste that is produced from nuclear power plants, and further allow us to scale nuclear power. There are two key efficient approaches to manage nuclear waste. First, near-surface disposal facilities that provide long-term security and storage. These facilities are at ground level or just below the surface where the protective covering is a few meters thick. Wastes include anything that has given off radiation, or anything that has been exposed to it for a period of time. Waste containers are placed in constructed vaults, covered and capped with an impermeable membrane and topsoil. The second approach to nuclear waste management is deep geological disposal in underground …show more content…
Proponents see the efficient, clean energy created, while critics emphasize the risks of nuclear site accidents and long-term waste disposal. One of the biggest problems with this is how to handle the sentiment of the public who oppose nuclear power. In my view nuclear power is more beneficial than all other methods of energy production. First, nuclear power plants generate power more efficiently than wind or solar power plants. For example, it takes 450 solar stations to produce the same amount of energy that was produced at San Onofre. Second, Nuclear power plants are safer than other energy power plants for workers and nearby inhabitants. This is because working at a nuclear power plant is far less damaging than working in something like a coal power plant. Next, there is a stable supply of uranium and thorium for the many future generations as the foundation to create nuclear energy. Also, there 's really not much waste: the US disposes of 1000 times more EPA-registered hazardous waste materials (e.g., mercury, benzene, coal ash, etc.), than radioactive waste. Waste can be safely stored in rock tunnels like Yucca, salt caverns like New Mexico, or deep boreholes, and new reactor designs can reduce the amount of waste that is produced. Lastly, nuclear weapons are derived from purpose-built reactors or centrifuges, not power plants, which is a common
Proodian
Chemistry P.4
Nuclear Sustainability Atoms are tiny particles that make up every object in the universe. Nuclear energy is the “life force” in the nucleus of an atom. There is powerful energy present in the bonds that hold the nucleus together, and this “nuclear energy” can be used to make electricity; however, that energy must first be released from atoms through nuclear fission. In a nuclear power plant, nuclear fission – the process of splitting highly-reactive atoms to form smaller atoms to release high amounts of energy -- occurs in uranium to heat water into pressurized steam, which then drives turbine generators to produce electricity. Approximately 100 nuclear power plants reside all across our country, as …show more content…
In my point of view, the sustainability of nuclear power in the United States should continue, but it must be done so very responsibly, with an effort to continuously improve nuclear power plant safety to allay public concerns. In this report, I discuss the handling options for nuclear waste, evidence of the safety of nuclear power, environmental impacts, and the handling of public sentiment against the use of nuclear sustainability, resulting in my position in favor of nuclear sustainability. One of the major challenges of nuclear sustainability is the handling of waste that is produced from nuclear power plants, and further allow us to scale nuclear power. There are two key efficient approaches to manage nuclear waste. First, near-surface disposal facilities that provide long-term security and storage. These facilities are at ground level or just below the surface where the protective covering is a few meters thick. Wastes include anything that has given off radiation, or anything that has been exposed to it for a period of time. Waste containers are placed in constructed vaults, covered and capped with an impermeable membrane and topsoil. The second approach to nuclear waste management is deep geological disposal in underground …show more content…
Proponents see the efficient, clean energy created, while critics emphasize the risks of nuclear site accidents and long-term waste disposal. One of the biggest problems with this is how to handle the sentiment of the public who oppose nuclear power. In my view nuclear power is more beneficial than all other methods of energy production. First, nuclear power plants generate power more efficiently than wind or solar power plants. For example, it takes 450 solar stations to produce the same amount of energy that was produced at San Onofre. Second, Nuclear power plants are safer than other energy power plants for workers and nearby inhabitants. This is because working at a nuclear power plant is far less damaging than working in something like a coal power plant. Next, there is a stable supply of uranium and thorium for the many future generations as the foundation to create nuclear energy. Also, there 's really not much waste: the US disposes of 1000 times more EPA-registered hazardous waste materials (e.g., mercury, benzene, coal ash, etc.), than radioactive waste. Waste can be safely stored in rock tunnels like Yucca, salt caverns like New Mexico, or deep boreholes, and new reactor designs can reduce the amount of waste that is produced. Lastly, nuclear weapons are derived from purpose-built reactors or centrifuges, not power plants, which is a common