Showing posts with label nuclear fission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nuclear fission. Show all posts

2020-04-16

Generation of Electricity from Nuclear Fission

Nuclear energy is one of many alternatives of generating electricity. In fact, nuclear energy is primarily used to generate electricity.

Among the uses of nuclear energy are as a method to propel submarine, big vessels and satellites. Engines run by nuclear energy can go on without refuelling for one or two years.

The process of generating electricity is done by nuclear power plant or power station.

The process begins in the nuclear reactor:

i. The nuclear fission of Uranium 235 creates a massive amount of heat energy in the nuclear reactor. The heat of the uranium bundles in the core must be controlled to prevent overheating which can cause the reactor to melt. 
ii. This energy is then used for boiling water which transforms it into steam at high pressure and temperature.
iii. This creates a powerful steam energy which rotates the turbines . The cold steam then moves to a condenser, condensed into water and then moves back to the reactor.
iv. The rotating turbines also spins a set of dynamos which produce electricity, this electricity is then further processed, adjusted and transported by cables to consumers.


Nuclear Reactors | Nuclear Power Plant | Nuclear Reactor ...


It is really crucial to keep nuclear power plants in order as any leakage or accident will cause massive environmental and health damage.


2013-01-15

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is a process involving the splitting of heavy nucleus into two or more nuclei of roughly equal mass with the release of several neutrons at the same time.

Nuclear fission seldom occurs spontaneously. Usually it occurs when the heavy nucleus is bombarded by a neutron.

Induced fission occurs when reaction caused by neutrons absorption.

Spontaneous fission occurs when nuclei undergo fission without initial neutron absorption.

The reaction causes large mass defect which appears mostly as kinetic energy of the fission fragments. They fly apart at great speed and colliding with the atoms in the vicinity and increasing their average kinetic energy. This causes them to have higher temperature and give out heat. Thus, nuclear fission is one of the source of heat energy.

Example of nuclear fission are:


Source: http://www.green-planet-solar-energy.com/images/nuclear_fission_good_1a.jpg




Source: chem-guide.blogspot.com