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7.2 Nonrenewable energy- nuclear sources (nuclear sources (decommissioned,…
7.2 Nonrenewable energy- nuclear sources
nuclear sources
nuclear fusion reaction: nuclei of ceratin isotiopes with large mass numbers are struck by a neutron
chain reaction: releases neutrons, which fly out and cause more nuclei to fission
nuclear fuel: uranium ore which is mined from the earth's crust
building a nuclear power plant, mining the uranium, processing and enriching the uranium to make fuel, using it in a reactor
nuclear meltdown: coolant, usually water,
containment shell: made of thick, steel-reinforced concrete surrounds the reactor core to
advantages of nuclear power: low co2 emissions, no toxic emissions
nuclear waste: the enriched uranium fuel in typical nuclear reactor lasts for 3-4 year
decommissioned
remove and store the highly radioactive parts
install a physical barrier
containment structure: enclose the entire plant in a concrete and reinforced tomb
is nuclear energy the solution to fossil fuel climate change?
pros and cons
conventional (light) curde oil: pros: abundant, medium net energy; production- low land disruption cons: burning- high co2 and toxic gases, potential oil spills
heavy crude oil: pros abundant, good for canada and us cons: low net energy; burning- high co2 gases; potential oil spills; prodcution can- land disruption and toxic leaks
natural gas: pros: more plentiful than oil; medium net energy; low production costs; burning- lower co2 and toxic gases
cons: burning-methane; production can -toxic leaks
conventional coal: pros: abundant; high net energy; cheap con: burning- high co2 and toxic particulate matter; production- huge land disruption
synfuels(processed from coal: pros: burning- lower toxic polutants cons: burning- higher co2
nuclear: pros: low co2 emissions, no toxic emissions from fission reactoin
cons: extremely expensive; low net energy; extremely hazardouus waste; threat of nuclear weapons development.