Nuclear Power Plants
Construction, Working And Drawbacks Explained
This topic discusses the importance of nuclear energy today and explains the construction and working of a nuclear power plant.
Nuclear power is considered as one of the main sources of the world’s energy needs in the future. It is also a emission-free alternative, given the hue and cry about global temperature rise from excessive carbon emissions these days. Nuclear power plant is nothing but another thermal power plant in its working. In this plant, the heat required for conversion of water into steam is obtained through heat released in the nuclear reaction.
The fuel used in the nuclear power plant is usually 2 to 3 percent uranium-235 rich uranium fuel. Plutonium-239 may also be used as a nuclear fuel. The main components of a nuclear reactor are: Closed containment structure, reactor, control rods, coolant, turbine, pump, and steam generator.
Construction And Functioning Of The Nuclear Reactor:
Control rods made of graphite have an extremely important role to play in maintaining the normal operation of the nuclear plant. The primary neutron on reaction with Uranium-235 atom releases 3 more neutrons into the system. If these 3 neutrons are left free, they react with 3 more U-235 atoms and release 9 more neutrons and the process continues. So if this process is not stopped, the reaction will proceed on to become what one calls a Chain reaction. The control rods absorb the 2 excess neutrons resulting from this process and permit only one to pass through. Hence, the nuclear reaction is kept under control.
The coolant also has an important role to play. A lot of heat is produced from the nuclear reaction causing the reactor to heat up excessively. The coolant helps to extract this heat and maintains the temperature within an optimal range, making the operation of the reactor smoother. The coolant usually used is water, but in some cases carbondioxide gas or a liquid metal like sodium may also be used.
The heat produced from the fission reaction is used to heat the water into steam. The steam is then passed through a steam turbine, rotating it and hence leading to production of electricity.
The nuclear reactor is housed in a concrete structure which serves two purposes. Firstly, it prevents the nuclear reactor from damage due to external forces. Secondly, it prevents the radioactive emissions from the nuclear reactor from escaping into the atmosphere.
Problems with the nuclear reactor:
The main problem with nuclear reactors is getting rid of the toxic wastes. For many years, this waste has been dumped into the oceans in sealed containers, but that method has been questioned due to damage detected to the underwater flora and fauna due to leakage of the radioactive emissions from these containers. More information regarding the problematic issues with nuclear energy can be found here.
