能源与环境7-2015.04.16.ppt

Chapter 3 Nuclear Energy and Its Environmental Impact (核能及其环境影响) 3.1 Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Power （核裂变和核电厂） 3.2 Nuclear Fusion （核聚变） 3.1 Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Power Introduction to Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Power Nuclear fission: nucleus splits into two daughter nuclei, with a very large release of energy. Nuclear power: any nuclear technology designed to extract usable energy from atomic nuclei via controlled nuclear reactions. the only method in use today is through nuclear fission. Nuclear power plant generates electricity in a manner similar to a coal-burning power plant. heating a fluid (usually water) generates steam (directly or indirectly) drives turbine blades connected to a power generator Difference —— the method for heating the water: nuclear reactions vs. coal combustion Isotopes – elements with the same number of protons, different number of neutrons (and different atomic mass) Example - Uranium (U) = 92 protons in nucleus... 238U (146 neutrons) 235U (143 neutrons) Radioactivity and radioactive decay (half-life) Not all isotopes are stable Radioactive isotopes undergo radioactive decay to eventually become a stable nucleus Example - 238U eventually becomes stable 206Pb (lead) isotopes 同位素 proton 质子 neutron 中子 radioactivity 放射性 decay 衰变 half-life 半衰期 2. Nuclear Fuel Nuclear fuel uses the isotope of uranium, radioactive 235U, the only isotope of uranium that readily splits. — Pure uranium ore is mostly composed of 238U (only 0.7% 235U), which does not split readily. —Thus, most nuclear fuel needs to be concentrated (enriched) before it can be used (3%~4.5%). Nuclear weapons require much higher enrichment in 235U WEAPON GRADE nuclear material— enrichment 15%~20% 235U. A big step up from preparation of reactor fuel. After enrichment, the uranium is formed into ceramic pellets which are then encased in metal fuel rods. Bundles of rods are put into a stainless steel reactor vessel. Fuel rods remain i