Nuclear energy comes from splitting atoms in a process called nuclear fission. Nuclear power plants use uranium, a radioactive element, to create electricity through controlled nuclear fission chain reactions. The key to controlling the chain reaction is to control the number of neutrons used in fission using control rods. Nuclear power plants have advantages over other power sources like high energy density and low emissions, but also have disadvantages like high costs and radioactive waste disposal challenges.

2. What is Energy?
Energy (E) is the capability to
perform work
Units of Energy: Joules (J) (in SI
systems)

3. Sources of Energy
Renewable Nonrenewable

4. What is Nuclear Energy?
Nuclear energy is the energy
stored in the nucleus of an atom.
Nuclear energy is unusual in
that it can give off energy in the
form of light or heat, but it is the
change in the atom's makeup that
produces the energy. Submarines,
power plants, and smoke detectors
all use nuclear energy. Nuclear
power plants use uranium, a
radioactive element, to create
electricity.

5. NUCLEAR FUEL
• Nuclear fuel is any material that can be
consumed to derive nuclear energy. The most
common type of nuclear fuel is fissile
elements that can be made to undergo
nuclear fission chain reactions in a nuclear
reactor
• The most common nuclear fuels are 235U and
239Pu. Not all nuclear fuels are used in fission
chain reactions

6. NUCLEAR FISSION
• When a neutron strikes an
atom of uranium, the uranium
splits into two lighter atoms and
releases heat simultaneously.
• Fission of heavy elements is an
exothermic reaction which can
release large amounts of energy
both as electromagnetic radiation
and as kinetic energy of the fragments

7. NUCLEAR CHAIN REACTIONS
• A chain reaction refers to a process in which
neutrons released in fission produce an
additional fission in at least one further
nucleus. This nucleus in turn produces
neutrons, and the process repeats. If the
process is controlled it is used for nuclear
power or if uncontrolled it is used for nuclear
weapons

8. LAYOUT OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

9. Operation

10. Fission Control
 The key to controlling the
chain reaction is to control Control Rods
the amount of neutrons
used in fission.
 This is done by
inserting/removing
control rods.
 The control rods are long
and inserted inside the
reactor between the fuel
tubes Water flow
 Control rods are made of
materials that absorb Fuel: Uranium 235
neutrons (boron or
cadmium), limiting the
amount of neutrons used
in the fission process.

11. Difference between
Nuclear and Thermal Power Generation
The difference is that
the thermal uses a
boiler to burn the
fossil fuel and
generate steam
with the heat, but the
nuclear uses a nuclear
reactor to make the
uranium fission energy
to generate steam with
the heat.

12. Difference between
Nuclear and Hydraulic Power Generation
Hydraulic power is
power that is derived
from the force or
energy of moving
water through
turbines, but the
nuclear uses the
uranium fission energy
to generate steam
which flows through
turbine

13. Advantages of Nuclear Power Plants
1. High energy density compared to other
conventional power plants.
2. Low amount of fuel for producing bulk power .
3. Can be located close load centers.
4. Availability of nuclear fuel all over the world.
( can ensure continued supply for thousands of
years)
5. High reliability.
6. Nuclear power plants produce no air pollutants
or greenhouse gases

14. Disadvantages of Nuclear Power
Plants
1. Expensive fuel.
2. High capital cost compared to other
plants
3. Can represent a dangerous radioactive
pollution.
4. Are not well suited for varying loads.
5. Waste Disposal

16. By:
• Mayank Baheti
• Tanay Agrawal
• Sudeepta Borah