Nuclear Power: A Very Short Introduction


Book Description

Following the increasing cost of fossil fuels and concerns about the security of their future supply. However, the term 'nuclear power' causes anxiety in many people and there is confusion concerning the nature and extent of the associated risks.




Nuclear Engineering


Book Description

Nuclear Engineering: A Conceptual Introduction to Nuclear Power provides coverage of the introductory, salient principles of nuclear engineering in a comprehensive manner for those entering the profession at the end of their degree. The nuclear power industry is undergoing a renaissance because of the desire for low-carbon baseload electricity, the growing population, and environmental concerns about shale gas, so this book is a welcomed addition to the science. In addition, users will find a great deal of information on the change in the industry, along with other topical areas of interest that are uniquely covered. Intended for undergraduate students or early postgraduate students studying nuclear engineering, this new text will also be appealing to scientifically-literate non-experts wishing to be better informed about the ‘nuclear option'. Presents a succinct and clear explanation of the key facts and concepts on how nuclear engineering power systems function and how their related fuel supply cycles operate Provides full coverage of the nuclear fuel cycle, including its scientific and historical basis Describes a comprehensive range of relevant reactor designs, from those that are defunct, current, and in plan/construction for the future, including SMRs and GenIV Summarizes all major accidents and their impact on the industry and society




Nuclear Energy


Book Description

This expanded, revised, and updated fourth edition of Nuclear Energy maintains the tradition of providing clear and comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the subject, with emphasis on the explanation of trends and developments. As in earlier editions, the book is divided into three parts that achieve a natural flow of ideas: Basic Concepts, including the fundamentals of energy, particle interactions, fission, and fusion; Nuclear Systems, including accelerators, isotope separators, detectors, and nuclear reactors; and Nuclear Energy and Man, covering the many applications of radionuclides, radiation, and reactors, along with a discussion of wastes and weapons. A minimum of mathematical background is required, but there is ample opportunity to learn characteristic numbers through the illustrative calculations and the exercises. An updated Solution Manual is available to the instructor. A new feature to aid the student is a set of some 50 Computer Exercises, using a diskette of personal computer programs in BASIC and spreadsheet, supplied by the author at a nominal cost. The book is of principal value as an introduction to nuclear science and technology for early college students, but can be of benefit to science teachers and lecturers, nuclear utility trainees and engineers in other fields.




Nuclear Energy


Book Description

Energy -- Atoms and nuclei -- Radioactivity -- Nuclear processes -- Radiation and materials -- Fission -- Fusion -- Particle accelerators -- Isotope separators -- Radiation detectors -- Neutron chain reactions -- Nuclear heat energy -- Breeder reactors -- Fusion reactors -- The history of nuclear energy -- Biological effects of radiation -- Information from isotopes -- Useful radiation effects -- Reactor safety -- Nuclear propulsion -- Radiation protection -- Radioactive waste disposal -- Laws, regulations, and organizations -- Energy economics -- International nuclear power -- Nuclear explosions -- The future.




Nuclear Power


Book Description

Nuclear Power provides a concise, up-to-date, accessible guide to the most controversial form of power generation. The author includes a comprehensive description of the various methods for generating nuclear power and evaluates the political, strategic, environmental, economic, and emotional factors involved in each method. The analysis of real-life, tragic examples, such as the accidents in Chernobyl and Fukushima help the reader understand the associated risks and dangers of this method of power generation and the radioactive waste it creates. This is a valuable and insightful read for those involved in nuclear power, including power plant designers and engineers, as well as those involved in the protection of society and the environment. Discusses various nuclear reactor designs and methods for generating this type of power Evaluates the political, strategic, environmental, economic, and emotional factors involved in each technology Explores the environmental and economic effects of nuclear power generation through various real-life tragedies, such as the accidents in Chernobyl and Fukushima




Nuclear Power Explained


Book Description

From World War II to the present day, nuclear power has remained a controversial topic in the public eye. In the wake of ongoing debates about energy and the environment, policymakers and laypeople alike are once more asking the questions posed by countless others over the decades: What actually happens in a nuclear power plant? Can we truly trust nuclear energy to be safe and reliable? Where does all that radiation and waste go? This book explains everything you would want to know about nuclear power in a compelling and accessible way. Split into three parts, it walks readers through the basics of nuclear physics and radioactivity; the history of nuclear power usage, including the most important events and disasters; the science and engineering behind nuclear power plants; the politics and policies of various nations; and finally, the long-term societal impact of such technology, from uranium mining and proliferation to final disposal. Featured along the way are dozens of behind-the-scenes, full-color images of nuclear facilities. Written in a nontechnical style with minimal equations, this book will appeal to lay readers, policymakers and professionals looking to acquire a well-rounded view about this complex subject.




Introduction to Nuclear Power


Book Description

The authors of this text aim to educate the reader on nuclear power and its future potential. It focuses on nuclear accidents such as Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, and their consequences, with the understanding that there are safety lessons to be learned if nuclear power generation is going to be expanded to meet our growing energy needs.




Nuclear Energy


Book Description

Originally perceived as a cheap and plentiful source of power, the commercial use of nuclear energy has been controversial for decades. Worries about the dangers that nuclear plants and their radioactive waste posed to nearby communities grew over time, and plant construction in the United States virtually died after the early 1980s. The 1986 disaster at Chernobyl only reinforced nuclear power's negative image. Yet in the decade prior to the Japanese nuclear crisis of 2011, sentiment about nuclear power underwent a marked change. The alarming acceleration of global warming due to the burning of fossil fuels and concern about dependence on foreign fuel has led policymakers, climate scientists, and energy experts to look once again at nuclear power as a source of energy. In this accessible overview, Charles D. Ferguson provides an authoritative account of the key facts about nuclear energy. What is the origin of nuclear energy? What countries use commercial nuclear power, and how much electricity do they obtain from it? How can future nuclear power plants be made safer? What can countries do to protect their nuclear facilities from military attacks? How hazardous is radioactive waste? Is nuclear energy a renewable energy source? Featuring a discussion of the recent nuclear crisis in Japan and its ramifications, Ferguson addresses these questions and more in Nuclear Energy: What Everyone Needs to Know®, a book that is essential for anyone looking to learn more about this important issue. What Everyone Needs to Know® is a registered trademark of Oxford University Press.




Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics


Book Description

INTRODUCTION TO NUCLEAR REACTOR PHYSICS is the most comprehensive, modern and readable textbook for this course/module. It explains reactors, fuel cycles, radioisotopes, radioactive materials, design, and operation. Chain reaction and fission reactor concepts are presented, plus advanced coverage including neutron diffusion theory. The diffusion equation, Fisk’s Law, and steady state/time-dependent reactor behavior. Numerical and analytical solutions are also covered. The text has full color illustrations throughout, and a wide range of student learning features.




Nuclear Energy


Book Description

This second edition represents an extensive revision of the ?rst edition, - though the motivation for the book and the intended audiences, as described inthepreviouspreface,remainthesame. Theoveralllengthhasbeenincreased substantially, with revised or expanded discussions of a number of topics, - cluding Yucca Mountain repository plans, new reactor designs, health e?ects of radiation, costs of electricity, and dangers from terrorism and weapons p- liferation. The overall status of nuclear power has changed rather little over the past eight years. Nuclear reactor construction remains at a very low ebb in much of the world, with the exception of Asia, while nuclear power’s share of the electricity supply continues to be about 75% in France and 20% in the United States. However,therearesignsofaheightenedinterestinconsideringpossible nuclear growth. In the late 1990s, the U. S. Department of Energy began new programs to stimulate research and planning for future reactors, and many candidate designs are now contending—at least on paper—to be the next generation leaders. Outside the United States, the commercial development ofthePebbleBedModularReactorisbeingpursuedinSouthAfrica,aFrench- German consortium has won an order from Finlandfor the long-plannedEPR (European Pressurized Water Reactor), and new reactors have been built or planned in Asia. In an unanticipated positive development for nuclear energy, the capacity factor of U. S. reactors has increased dramatically in recent years, and most operating reactors now appear headed for 20-year license renewals.