Nuclear Energy (eBook)

Preface to the Second Edition 6
Preface to the First Edition 9
Contents 11
1 The Motivation for Nuclear Energy 23
1.1 The Need for Energy Sources 23
1.2 Problems with Fossil Fuels 29
1.3 Nuclear Power as a Substitute for Fossil Fuels 36
References 44
2 Nuclear Power Development 46
2.1 Present Status of Nuclear Power 46
2.2 Early History of Nuclear Energy 48
2.3 Development of Nuclear Power in the United States 52
2.4 Trends in U.S. Reactor Utilization 57
2.5 Worldwide Development of Nuclear Power 63
2.6 National Programs of Nuclear Development 68
2.7 Failures of Prediction 74
References 75
3 Radioactivity and Radiation Exposures 78
3.1 Brief History 78
3.2 Radiation Doses 79
3.3 Radioactive Decay 84
3.4 Natural Radioactivity 87
3.5 Survey of Radiation Exposures 94
References 103
4 Effects of Radiation Exposures 105
4.1 The Study of Radiation Effects 105
4.2 Effects of High Radiation Doses 107
4.3 Effects of Low Radiation Doses 111
4.4 Radiation Standards and Health Criteria 125
4.5 Radionuclides of Special Interest 131
References 138
5 Neutron Reactions 142
5.1 Overview of Nuclear Reactions 142
5.2 Cross Sections in the Resonance Region 147
5.3 Cross Sections in the Continuum Region 151
5.4 The Low-Energy Region 153
References 155
6 Nuclear Fission 157
6.1 Discovery of Fission 157
6.2 Simple Picture of Fission 159
6.3 Products of Fission 162
6.4 Energy Release in Fission 167
References 169
7 Chain Reactions and Nuclear Reactors 171
7.1 Criticality and the Multiplication Factor 171
7.2 Thermalization of Neutrons 176
7.3 Reactor Kinetics 180
7.4 Conversion Ratio and Production of Plutonium in Thermal Reactors 182
7.5 Control Materials and Poisons 184
References 186
8 Types of Nuclear Reactors 188
8.1 Survey of Reactor Types 188
8.2 Light Water Reactors 198
8.3 Burners, Converters, and Breeders 203
8.4 The Natural Reactor at Oklo 208
References 209
9 Nuclear Fuel Cycle 210
9.1 Characteristics of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle 210
9.2 Front End of the Fuel Cycle 212
9.3 Fuel Utilization 222
9.4 Back End of Fuel Cycle 230
9.5 Uranium Resources 238
References 244
10 Nuclear Waste Disposal: Amounts of Waste 247
10.1 Categories of Nuclear Waste 247
10.2 Wastes from Commercial Reactors 253
10.3 Hazard Measures for Nuclear Wastes 260
References 267
11 Storage and Disposal of Nuclear Wastes 268
11.1 Stages in Waste Handling 268
11.2 Deep Geologic Disposal 281
11.3 Alternatives to Deep Geologic Disposal 292
11.4 Worldwide Status of Nuclear Waste Disposal Plans 300
References 302
12 U.S. Waste Disposal Plans and the Yucca Mountain Repository 306
12.1 Formulation of U.S. Waste Disposal Policies 306
12.2 The Planned Yucca Mountain Repository 312
12.3 Protective Barriers in Repository Planning 318
12.4 Total System Performance Assessments 327
12.5 Resolving Questions About the Repository Performance 341
References 347
13 Policy Issues in Nuclear Waste Disposal 351
13.1 The Importance of the Nuclear Waste Disposal Issue 351
13.2 EPA Standards for Nuclear Waste Disposal 353
13.3 Responsibilities to Future Generations 361
13.4 Special Issues in Considering Waste Disposal 367
13.5 Possible Approaches to Nuclear Waste Disposal 373
References 381
14 Nuclear Reactor Safety 384
14.1 General Considerations in Reactor Safety 384
14.2 Accidents and their Avoidance 392
14.3 Estimating Accident Risks 396
14.4 Post-TMI Safety Developments 405
14.5 Reactor Safety Standards 416
References 421
15 Nuclear Reactor Accidents 424
15.1 Historical Overview of Reactor Accidents 424
15.2 The Three Mile Island Accident 427
15.3 The Chernobyl Accident 434
References 449
16 Future Nuclear Reactors 452
16.1 General Considerations for Future Reactors 452
16.2 Survey of Future Reactors 457
16.3 Individual Light Water Reactors 462
16.4 High-Temperature, Gas-Cooled Reactors 472
16.5 Liquid-Metal Reactors 480
16.6 The Generation IV Program 483
16.7 Radical Nuclear Alternatives to Present Reactors 488
References 490
17 Nuclear Bombs, Nuclear Energy, and Terrorism 494
17.1 Concerns About Links Between Nuclear Power and Nuclear Weapons 494
17.2 Nuclear Explosions 495
17.3 Uranium and Nuclear Weapons 503
17.4 Plutonium and Nuclear Weapons 505
17.5 Terrorist Threats 514
References 527
18 Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons 530
18.1 Nuclear Proliferation 530
18.2 History of Weapons Development 539
18.3 Nuclear Power and the Weapons Threat 555
References 568
19 Costs of Electricity 572
19.1 Generation Costs and External Costs 572
19.2 Institutional Roles 574
19.3 The Generation Cost of Electricity 577
19.4 Costs and Electricity Choices 584
References 589
20 The Prospects for Nuclear Energy 591
20.1 The Nuclear Debate 591
20.2 Options for Electricity Generation 594
20.3 Possible Expansion of Nuclear Power 601
20.4 Regional Prospects for Nuclear Power Development 612
20.5 Issues in Nuclear Decisions 617
References 627
A Elementary Aspects of Nuclear Physics 631
A.1 Simple Atomic Model 631
A.2 Units in Atomic and Nuclear Physics 633
A.3 Atomic Masses and Energy Release 636
A.4 Energy States and Photons 638
A.5 Nuclear Systematics 640
A.6 Radioactive Decay Processes 642
A.7 Rate of Radioactive Decay 648
References 651
B General Tables 652
Acronyms and Abbreviations 657
Glossary 664
Index 683