Nuclear Power Overview

Nuclear Power

• Nuclear power harnesses nuclear energy for applications like electricity, thermal, and motive energy.
• Initially, nuclear power was primarily used for military purposes.
• Nuclear fission and fusion reactions are used for energy production.
• Controlled fission is a mature technology.
• Controlled fusion technology is still developing.

Historical Perspective

• Nuclear power's discovery began in 1934 with Enrico Fermi.
• The Manhattan Project led to the first nuclear weapons in 1945.
• The Trinity test, a plutonium bomb, was detonated in 1945.
• Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings in 1945 resulted in over 200,000 deaths.
• Nuclear electricity generation started in 1951.

Canadian Nuclear Industry

• Canada operates 19 power reactors.
• Nuclear technology was early and innovative, globally.
• Currently, 47 CANDU (or CANDU-derivative) reactors exist worldwide, with 60% operating outside Canada.
• Canada provides medical isotopes and is a major uranium producer.
• The industry employs over 30,000 Canadians.
• It's a highly regulated industry.
• The goal is to increase capacity to 18,000 MW by 2025.

Three Key Options

• Fossil fuels are one option.
• Nuclear power is another option.
• Alternative energy options are a third option.

Uranium vs Fossil Fuels

• Uranium pellets are highly energy-dense and efficient.
• One uranium pellet is equivalent to 120 gallons of oil, 17,000 ft³ of natural gas, or 1 ton of coal.
• Spent nuclear fuel still retains over 90% energy for potential recycling.

Basic Elements of Nuclear Power

• Nuclear power uses nuclear energy for peaceful applications.
• Initially, nuclear power was used for military purposes.
• Fission in uranium is one kind of atomic bomb.
• Fusion (hydrogen to helium) is another kind of atomic bomb.
• Fusion reactions are being developed for future energy production.

Fission vs Fusion

• Fission splits heavy atoms (e.g., Uranium-235) into lighter ones.
• Fusion joins lightweight atoms (e.g., deuterium & tritium) into heavier ones; very powerful.

Nuclear Fuel Cycle

• The nuclear fuel cycle involves several stages: from uranium recovery to fuel fabrication and eventual disposal/recycling.
• Uranium enrichment is sometimes involved depending on how enriched the uranium is.

Types of Radiation

• Radiation results from unstable atoms reaching stable states.
• Types of radiation include alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and neutrons.
• Alpha particles are large and do not penetrate skin but are hazardous if swallowed.
• Beta particles can penetrate skin but not heavy materials.
• Gamma rays have high penetrating power.
• Severe exposure causes significant health issues including eye cataracts, cancers, and more severe effects.

Simple Nuclear Power Plant Layout

• Nuclear reactors use heat to generate steam.
• Steam spins turbines, producing electricity.
• Rejected heat is expelled.

Top 10 Nuclear Energy Producing Countries

• A list of countries showing their electricity generation from nuclear power, in 2021.

SMRs and MMRS

• Small and micro modular reactors are smaller nuclear reactors.
• Options for supporting smaller energy demands and hydrogen production.
• Increased interest in these reactors to complement larger plants.

Reactor Types

• PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor): Uses water pressure for heat transfer. It is the most common type.
• BWR (Boiling Water Reactor): Boils reactor water to create steam for turbine power.
• CANDU (Canadian Deuterium Uranium Reactor): A type of reactor with different design aspects than other reactors.
• Other reactor types include the Gas Cooled Fast Reactor, and Lead Cooled Reactor.

Simplified CANDU Reactor/Heat Transport System

• Diagrams and descriptions of the CANDU reactor and its heat transport system.

Thermoelectrochemical (Hybrid) Cycles

• Integrated systems combine electricity generation from nuclear energy and hydrogen production.
• Cycles utilizing nuclear heat to generate hydrogen through chemical processes.

Integrated System

• An integrated system design example (Al-Zareer-Dincer-Rosen, 2017), demonstrating one approach for utilizing nuclear power for both energy and hydrogen production.

Opportunities for Cogeneration with Nuclear Energy

• The potential for combining nuclear energy with other energy sources for comprehensive energy solutions.

Tiny Nuclear Reactors

• Small modular reactors are a tool for producing Hydrogen fuel.
• High-temperature electrolysis of water requires a fair bit of additional heat to get the process going.

Explore the realm of nuclear power, from its military origins to its applications in electricity generation. Delve into the historical milestones, including the Manhattan Project and the development of fission and fusion technologies. Learn about Canada's pivotal role in the nuclear industry and its global impact.