Essay on Nuclear Energy Nuclear Power Essay example Nuclear Power Essay Essay on Nuclear Energy Research Nuclear Essay The Future of Nuclear Power Essay

1. Essay on Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy
Nuclear Power and its uses is a growing discussion in today's era of technology. Australia is one of
the developed countries where the demands of energy resources are increasing rapidly. Nuclear
energy is coming up as a great alternative, but various factors support as well as oppose its growth.
Some countries oppose the usage of nuclear energy because of the problems associated with its
usage. Production and Maintenance of nuclear power is very expensive. Nuclear power is viewed as
too dangerous, uneconomical, and not required. Although, nuclear energy has a potential hazard, but
it is reliable in terms of efficiency, environmental impact and cost when compared with other sources
of energy. Therefore, the increase in the...show more content...
Though renewable sources of energy are reliable but their output greatly depends on the
environment. For example, cloudy days have no solar gain, hence no solar energy production. Quiet
days mean no wind blows to drive wind turbines. Dams are primarily for flood control, so
hydroelectricity production varies as dam water levels fluctuate.
Considering the case of Aswan Dam in Egypt not only caused thousands to loose their homes and
lives but also ceased the fertile surrounding because of the yearly inundation of the Nile. Moreover,
the subsequent silting up for the river destroyed much wildlife.
Due to Thermal Power Generation, 2500 million tons of coal each year is consumed to produce
38% of the electricity, While 61,000 tons of Natural Uranium will be used to generate the same
amount of energy (World Nuclear Association, 2005) .
Secondly, nuclear energy source has a weak impact on environment than the Non–renewable
resources. There is no doubt that use of fossil fuels leads to global warming. While, the amount of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was only 0.028% five decades ago, now, as per American
Petroleum Institute (1998) estimates it reached 0.036%. Additionally, burning of fossil fuels,
especially coal, oil, and natural gases are the main causes for increase in pollution; especially air
pollution. Several hazardous pollutants are produced by fossil fuels combustion: Carbon Monoxide,
Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Oxides and
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2. Nuclear Power Essay example
Since the end of the last century, the development of modern technology and science has played a
significant role as measure to resolve energy crisis and global warming issues which resulted in life
sustaining remedies and causes of mass destruction. However, many scientists agree that the earth's
fossil fuel supplies are dramatically depleting and this challenge will be a meaningful hurdle for
future generations. Therefore, many countries may need to find new productive energy sources in
order to tackle this problem. Many proponents of nuclear power suggest that the benefits of nuclear
power could be capable of alleviating climate change crisis due to its cost–effective and capability to
supply the world's energy needs. In contrary,...show more content...
This essay will argue that nuclear power will not be a sustainable energy source of 21st century for
three main reasons. These include high cost of generating nuclear power, health effects of radiation
and long–term impact of radioactive waste on the environment as well as present its disadvantages
and compare it to renewable energy sources of solar power and wind power.
Public perception on nuclear energy is much influenced by subjective impressions mostly formed
through sensational and dramatic news of mass media or anti–nuclear groups. However, nuclear
experts, those who have more relevant knowledge and information about nuclear energy, may have
reasonable opinion based on scientific facts or inferences. Thus their opinion and consensus should
be examined and taken into account during the process of nuclear energy policy formulation. For the
purpose of eliciting experts' opinion, the web–based on–line survey system (eBOSS) was developed.
Using the survey system, experts' views on nuclear energy were tallied, analyzed and compared with
the public's. Based on the survey results, the paper suggests some recommendations about the future
direction of the public information program in Korea.
First of all, it would appear that the obvious drawback of nuclear power is its high economic cost
such as the coat of building a nuclear reactor
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3. Nuclear Power Essay
Nuclear Power
As our population increases, so will our demand for electricity. Air conditioners, computers,
televisions, microwaves, and many other appliances have become necessities for Americans. All
methods of producing electricity have drawbacks. As the earth becomes warmer, we must look for
ways to decrease our use of fossil fuels. There are several ways to produce electricity without
releasing air pollution. The most feasible method at this time is nuclear energy. Nuclear energy
presents a safe, clean, and inexpensive alternative to other methods of producing electricity. Nuclear
waste can either be reprocessed or disposed of safely, provided certain precautions are taken.
Radiation
Properties
In order to understand the...show more content...
Another example is x–rays, which have become a valuable medical diagnostic tool. However,
overexposure to x–rays can increase a person's cancer risk or even cause immediate death (Taylor,
1996).
Average annual exposure from various sources
The average American's exposure to radiation (82%) comes primarily from natural sources.
Fifty–five percent comes from radon, which is given off by radium, a component of soil and rock.
Americans receive a smaller percentage of radiation from other terrestrial sources, such as uranium
in the soil, and from cosmic rays. Eleven percent of natural radiation exposure is internal, primarily
from radioactive potassium in our bodies. Eighteen percent of American's radiation exposure comes
from man–made sources such as x–rays, nuclear medicine, and consumer products, much of which is
the necessary byproduct of beneficial products and procedures. Americans receive only 0.1% of their
total radiation exposure from nuclear energy production. This figure includes exposure from mining,
milling, reactor operation, transportation, and waste storage. Interestingly, Americans receive 0.5%
of their total radiation exposure from the radioisotopes released into the atmosphere from coal–fired
power plants. We actually receive five times as much radiation from coal–fired power plants as we
do from nuclear power plants (Taylor,
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4. Essay on Nuclear Energy Research
Nuclear energy is a fascinating discovery and an up–incoming strong energy supplier of many things
in our world today. Nuclear materials include many pieces, such as; radiation, radioactive decay,
nuclear reactors, fission and fusion. It is highly possible that our world will become very
dependent on nuclear resources in the future; however, they'll not only supply us with positives but
many fierce negatives as well. Nuclear energy is a complex material that carries many deep side
effects, one of which being radiation. Radiation is the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves
or as subatomic particles. Through radiation, energy is transmitted in forms such as light, heat and
sound. Right alongside of radiation is...show more content...
Whereas, fusion is the result or the process of joining two or more things together to from one
single creation, for example, liquefying or melting by applying heat. Nuclear materials not only
require heat to be formed, but they also can create heat. Nuclear materials can create heat and
electricity, as well as being used in the development of weapons and medical needs. Heat from
nuclear materials typically comes from nuclear fuel; used nuclear fuel will emit high levels of
both heat and radiation. Such nuclear fuels are also used to create forms of energy such as
electricity in many areas of the world today. As a weapon, nuclear material can be devastating to
any ecosystem which it may come in contact with. Most commonly, plutonium (known to be used
in North Korea) or uranium is used in the creation of nuclear/atomic weapons. A product called a
research reactor is the typical starter kit for most of the world's nuclear bomb programs. This
research reactor serves primarily as a neutron source and is also called a non–power reactor because
it does not generate power, such as the "power reactors" used to create heat and electricity. Nuclear
materials are also used for medical needs, such as the commonly known "X–ray", or the isotope,
technetium–99m and molybdenum–99 shortages addressed in the House of Representatives vote in
2009. In this vote, the House affirmatively decided to reestablish the domestic
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5. Nuclear Essay
The UK civil nuclear power industry initially started in 1946 followed by the establishment of one
of the world's first nuclear power plant in 1956 [23–24]. This commercial scale reactor was built in
southwest Scotland and given a name "MAGNOX" due to the fuel cladding (magnesium
non–oxidising alloy) used to contain the fuels. The MAGNOX reactor uses natural uranium metal
fuel to generate thermal energy while using graphite bricks to moderate the fast moving neutrons
within the core. Two types of graphite bricks are used in MAGNOX design; these are Pile Grade
A (PGA) and Pile Grade B (PGB). The former is used as a neutron moderator due to its high density
and lower neutron absorption, whereas the latter is mostly used as a reflector [23]....show more
content...
Currently, there are fifteen operating reactors in the UK with a combined total output around 8883
MWe, and one under construction [27]. Fourteen of the fifteen operating reactors are AGRs and
located at seven different power stations, making the AGRs the most dominant nuclear reactors in
the UK. The remaining two reactors (including the one under construction) are based on PWR design.
AGRs are the second generation of the UK nuclear power plants, and initially designed to improve
the steam cycle efficiency of the early reactor design (MAGNOX). This type of reactors exists only
in the UK and operated by EDF–Energy (formerly British–Energy). Since the AGRs first operation
in 1976 they have become the UK's most dominant reactor after showing an increased economic
benefits and steam cycle efficiency approximately 42% compared with MAGNOX reactor, which
has approximately 31% efficiency [25]. AGRs are capable of producing peak fuel temperature
approximately 800 В°C and the coolant gas temperature approximately 650 В°C at 40 bars. The
steam generated by the AGRs can reach up to 540 В°C at 165 bar, which is capable of driving the
standard 660 MW turbines.
Some of the main differences between the early MAGNOX reactors and AGRs that have a key
impact on the reactor
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6. The Future of Nuclear Power Essay
Nuclear plants have been generating electricity since 1954. (O'Keefe, O'Brien, Pearsall, 2010) It
was very perspective technology, which could change the world. So nuclear power was developed
quite fast. Many new nuclear reactors were built in the U.S., Canada, Japan, several European
countries, and the former USSR. (Vanek &Albright, 2008) As a result substantial amount of
electricity has been generated by nuclear power since 1970. Then in 1973 oil crisis started, therefore
many countries thought that this technology can help them to become less dependent on foreign oil.
However nuclear power also suffered from this crisis, because it reduced the consumption of
electricity. So it was no longer considered a cheap source of energy....show more content...
In fact, nuclear power is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to produce large amounts of
energy. While nuclear plants generate 20%of U.S. total electricity, it produces only 2000 tons of
radioactive waste, whereas the United States coal industry produces 115 million tons of waste,
which contains the noxious tidings of mercury, cadmium, lead, arsenic, and even radiation. It isn't
only emitting million tons of CO2, but it is also pollute the ground. In contrast, nuclear waste is
controlled very carefully. It is kept in special storage facilities that prevent the leakage of radiation,
while coal withdrawals aren't controlled so that they can pollute environment. (Montgomery, 2010)
Moreover, some experts claim that nuclear power can help to stop global warming. (O'Keefe,
O'Brien, Pearsall, 2010) Nowadays nuclear energy prevents more than 8% of the world CO2
emission, because nuclear plants produce 40 to 100 times less CO2 than fossil–fuel plants.
Countries such as Belgium, France and Sweden, which have developed nuclear programs, reduce
their carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide emissions, but countries, which didn't use
nuclear power in the significant way, increased emission
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