Nuclear+Page


 * Nuclear[[image:nuclear fission.gif align="right"]] **

Nuclear energy is generated in nuclear power plants. Heat is used to boil water into steam, which turns a turbine and drives a generator to produce electricity. The heat comes from the fission of nuclear fuel in a reactor.
 *  What is it? **

Despite all the cosmic energy that the word "nuclear" invokes, power plants that depend on atomic energy don't operate that differently from a typical coal-burning power plant. Both heat water into pressurized steam, which drives a turbine generator. The key difference between the two plants is the method of heating the water.

While older plants burn fossil fuels, nuclear plants depend on the heat that occurs during nuclear fission, when one atom splits into two and releases energy. Nuclear fission happens naturally every day. Uranium, for example, constantly undergoes spontaneous fission at a very slow rate. This is why the element emits radiation, and why it's a natural choice for the induced fission that nuclear power plants require.

Uranium is a common element on Earth and has existed since the planet formed. While there are several varieties of uranium, uranium-235 (U-235) is the one most important to the production of nuclear power.

A controlled chain reaction in a fuel bundle in a reactor can produce as much energy as burning about 400 tons of coal or 2,000 barrels of oil.

 In a reactor, heavy water (a compound of hydrogen and oxygen that contains more of the hydrogen isotope deuterium than regular water) is used as a moderator. The heavy water and fuel channels are specially positioned to ensure a carefully controlled fission reaction occurs. Control rods move in and out of the reactor core to adjust the power levels. If needed, the control rods can shut down the chain reaction. The reactors are highly radioactive so the reactor core is heavily shielded to protect the station's operators. The whole reactor and the primary coolant circuit are in a massive concrete structure to protect the public from any possible radiation releases. Used fuel bundles are stored in a tank filled with water next to the reactor.

NPR Visualizing the Energy Grid - Learn about the energy resources powering our country and our state, and find out how they are interconnected.
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Energy Explained - US Energy Information Administration. Learn about how each energy resources is found and used to provide the energy we need.

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CBC News Online | May 20, 2009 [], - Additional information about energy resources.

Buzzle: Pros and Cons of Energy - Additional information about energy resources.

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