Nuclear Energy
In this report the only form of nuclear energy that will be discussed is sodium cooled Fast Neutron/breeder Reactors (FNR). Nuclear reactors work by the fission of a heavy element, most commonly Uranium-235 (U-235) into two smaller elements through the bombardment of the atom with a neutron. With the fission of the heavier element along with the production of two lighter elements, high energy photons (gamma radiation) and neutrons are also released. The neutron produced causes a chain reaction as it collides with other U-235 atoms. Not all neutrons collide with U-235, others collide with U-238 or do not collide at all resulting in termination. The gamma radiation is used to heat the working fluid, usually water, which will state …show more content…
ALthough 95% of radioactive waste can be reprocessed through the removal of neutron poison causing the chain reaction to stop. The other 5% is highly radioactive and requires a large storage containment to prevent leaking. This type of infrastructure is currently unavailable in Australia. With correct containment the radiation leakage is minimal, Hvistendahl (2007) stated “In fact, the fly ash emitted by a power plant—a by-product from burning coal for electricity—carries into the surrounding environment 100 times more radiation than a nuclear power plant producing the same amount of …show more content…
Chernobyl, USSR in 1986 and Fukushima, Japan in 2011, as well as the partial meltdown on Three Mile Island, USA in 1979. Chernobyl was caused by poor design with the lack of secondary containment to prevent radiation leakage in the event of nuclear meltdown. In Fukushima, the coolant generators that were initiated after the earthquake were destroyed by the subsequent tsunami. Three Mile Island was caused by incompetency on the part of the operators. All these events had castrophoric effects on the environment, in particular Chernobyl with the evacuation of over 30,000 people, many of whom died from cancer or other radioactive related illnesses. The effects of Fukushima have yet to be fully realised.
Though there are significant benefits to nuclear power, in terms of large amount of energy production and the emission of no greenhouse gases besides water vapour, the small chance of nuclear meltdown and production of radioactive waste must be considered when taking into consideration its environmental impact and sustainability.
In this report the only form of nuclear energy that will be discussed is sodium cooled Fast Neutron/breeder Reactors (FNR). Nuclear reactors work by the fission of a heavy element, most commonly Uranium-235 (U-235) into two smaller elements through the bombardment of the atom with a neutron. With the fission of the heavier element along with the production of two lighter elements, high energy photons (gamma radiation) and neutrons are also released. The neutron produced causes a chain reaction as it collides with other U-235 atoms. Not all neutrons collide with U-235, others collide with U-238 or do not collide at all resulting in termination. The gamma radiation is used to heat the working fluid, usually water, which will state …show more content…
ALthough 95% of radioactive waste can be reprocessed through the removal of neutron poison causing the chain reaction to stop. The other 5% is highly radioactive and requires a large storage containment to prevent leaking. This type of infrastructure is currently unavailable in Australia. With correct containment the radiation leakage is minimal, Hvistendahl (2007) stated “In fact, the fly ash emitted by a power plant—a by-product from burning coal for electricity—carries into the surrounding environment 100 times more radiation than a nuclear power plant producing the same amount of …show more content…
Chernobyl, USSR in 1986 and Fukushima, Japan in 2011, as well as the partial meltdown on Three Mile Island, USA in 1979. Chernobyl was caused by poor design with the lack of secondary containment to prevent radiation leakage in the event of nuclear meltdown. In Fukushima, the coolant generators that were initiated after the earthquake were destroyed by the subsequent tsunami. Three Mile Island was caused by incompetency on the part of the operators. All these events had castrophoric effects on the environment, in particular Chernobyl with the evacuation of over 30,000 people, many of whom died from cancer or other radioactive related illnesses. The effects of Fukushima have yet to be fully realised.
Though there are significant benefits to nuclear power, in terms of large amount of energy production and the emission of no greenhouse gases besides water vapour, the small chance of nuclear meltdown and production of radioactive waste must be considered when taking into consideration its environmental impact and sustainability.