Introduction To Nuclear Power Plant

Prof R.S.KOLHE
ME ( Heat Power)
S.R.E.S.COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING KOPARGAON
 Introduction
 The science of atomic radiation, atomic change and nuclear
fission was developed from 1895 to 1945, much of it in the last
six of those years
 Over 1939-45, most development was focused on the atomic
bomb
 From 1945 attention was given to harnessing this energy in a
controlled fashion for naval propulsion and for making
electricity
 Since 1956 the prime focus has been on the technological
evolution of reliable nuclear power plants.
 Economic Advantages

 The energy in one pound of highly enriched Uranium is

comparable to that of one million gallons of gasoline.
 One million times as much energy in one pound of Uranium
as in one pound of coal.
 Nuclear energy annually prevents 5.1 million tons of sulfur
2.4 million tons of nitrogen oxide 164 metric tons of carbon
 First commercial power plant, England 1956
 17% of world’s electricity is from nuclear power
 Nuclear Reactions
• Nuclear reactions deal with interactions between the
nuclei of atoms including of nuclear fission and
nuclear fusion
• Both fission and fusion processes deal with matter
and energy
• Fission is the process of splitting of a nucleus into
two "daughter" nuclei leading to energy being
released
• Fusion is the process of two "parent" nuclei fuse into
one daughter nucleus leading to energy being
released
 Fission Reaction
• A classic example of a fission
reaction is that of U-235:
• U-235 + 1 Neutron
2 Neutrons + Kr-92 + Ba-142
+E
• In this example, a stray
neutron strikes an atom of
U235. It absorbs the neutron
and becomes an unstable
atom of U-236. It then
undergoes fission.
 Fusion Reactions
•A classic example of a fusion reaction is that of deuterium
(heavy hydrogen) and tritium which is converted to
Helium and release energy.
p+p He + n + .42 MeV
Parts of A Nuclear Reactor
 A nuclear reactor is an apparatus in which heat is
produced due to nuclear fission chain reaction
1. Nuclear Fuel
2. Moderator
3. Control Rods
4. Reflector
5. Reactors Vessel
6. Biological Shielding
7. Coolant.
Nuclear Reactor.
Nuclear Fuel
 Fuel of a nuclear reactor should be fissionable material
which can be defined as an element or isotope whose nuclei
can be caused to undergo nuclear fission by nuclear
bombardment and to produce a fission chain reaction.
 It can be one or all of the following
U233, U235 and Pu239.
 Natural uranium found in earth crust contains three isotopes
namely U234, U235 and U238 and their average
percentage is as follows :
 U238 — 99.3%
 U235 — 0.7%
 U234 — Trace
 Moderator
 In the chain reaction the neutrons produced are fast moving
neutrons
 These fast moving neutrons are far less effective in causing the
fission of U235 and try to escape from the reactor.
 To improve the utilization of these neutrons their speed is
reduced.
 It is done by colliding them with the nuclei of other material
which is lighter, does not capture the neutrons but scatters
them. Each such collision causes loss of energy, and the speed
of the fast moving neutrons is reduced. Such material is called
Moderator.
 The slow neutrons (Thermal Neutrons) so produced are easily
captured by the nuclear fuel and the chain reaction proceeds
smoothly.
 Graphite, heavy water and beryllium are generally used as
moderator.
A moderator should process the following
properties :
 It should have high thermal conductivity.
 It should be available in large quantities in pure form.
 It should have high melting point in case of solid
moderators and low melting point in case of liquid
moderators. Solid moderators should also possess
good strength and machinability
 It should provide good resistance to corrosion.
 It should be stable under heat and radiation.
 It should be able to slow down neutrons.
 Control Rods.
 The energy produced in the reactor due to fission of nuclear
fuel during chain reaction is so much that if it is not controlled
properly the entire core and surrounding structure may melt
and radioactive fission products may come out of the reactor
thus making it uninhabitable.
 This implies that we should have some means to control the
power of reactor. This is done by means of control rods.
 Control rods in the cylindrical or sheet form are made of boron
or cadmium.
 These rods can be moved in and out of the holes in the reactor
core assembly. Their insertion absorbs more neutrons and
damps down the reaction and their withdrawal absorbs less
neutrons. Thus power of reaction is controlled by shifting
control rods which may be done manually or automatically.
 Reflector
 The neutrons produced during the fission process will be partly
absorbed by the fuel rods, moderator, coolant or structural
material etc.
 Neutrons left unabsorbed will try to leave the reactor core
never to return to it and will be lost. Such losses should be
minimized.
 It is done by surrounding the reactor core by a material called
reflector which will send the neutrons back into the core.
 The returned neutrons can then cause more fission and improve
the neutrons economy of' the reactor.
 Generally the reflector is made up of graphite and beryllium.
Reactor Vessel
 It is a. strong walled container housing the cure of
the power reactor.
 It contains moderator, reflector, thermal shielding
and control rods.
 Biological Shielding
 Shielding the radioactive zones in the reactor roan
possible radiation hazard is essential to protect, the
operating men from the harmful effects.
 During fission of nuclear fuel, alpha particles, beta
particles, deadly gamma rays and neutrons are produced.
Out oil these nc-1utroxrs and gamma rays are of main
significance.
 A protection must be provided against them. Thick layers
of lead or concrete are provided round the reactor for
stopping the gamma rays.
 Thick layers of metals or plastics are sufficient to stop the
alpha and beta particles.
 Coolant
 Coolant flows through and around the reactor core. It is used
to transfer the large amount of heat produced in the reactor
due to fission of the nuclear fuel during chain reaction.
 The coolant either transfers its heat to another medium or if
the coolant used is water it takes up the heat and gets
converted into steam in the reactor which is directly sent to
the turbine.
Coolant
 Coolant used should be stable under thermal condition.
 It should have a low melting point and high boiling point.
 It should not corrode the material with which it comes in
contact.
 The coolant should have high heat transfer coefficient.
 The radioactivity induced in coolant by the neutrons
bombardment should be nil.
 The various fluids used as coolant are water (light water or
heavy water), gas (Air, CO2, Hydrogen, Helium) and liquid
metals such as sodium or mixture of sodium and potassium
and inorganic and organic fluids.
Classification of reactor
 Based on neutron energy
A. Fast Reactor
B. Slow or thermal reactor
C. Intermediate reactor
 Based on fuel used
A. Natural uranium fuel reactor
B. Enriched uranium fuel reactor
 Based on coolant used
A. Water cooled reactor
B. Heavy Water cooled reactor
C. Liquid metal cooled reactor
D. Gas cooled reactor
 Based on moderator used
A. Water and heavy water reactor
B. Graphite reactor
C. Beryllium reactor
Pressurized water reactor
Boiling water reactor
Gas cooled reactor
Liquid metal fast breeder reactor
Nuclear Power Station In India
(i) Tarapur Nuclear Power Station.
 It has two boiling water reactors each of 200 mW
capacity and uses enriched uranium as its fuel.
 It supplies power to Gujarat and Maharashtra.
(ii) Rana Pratap Sagar (Rajasthan) Nuclear Station.
 It has been built at 42 miles south west of Kota in
Rajasthan with Canadian collaboration.
 It has two reactors each of 200 mW capacity and uses
natural uranium in the form of oxide as fuel and heavy
water as moderator.
Nuclear Power Station In India
iii) Kalpakkam Nuclear Power Station.
 It is the third nuclear power station in India and is being built at
about 40 miles from Madras City.
 It will be wholly designed and constructed by Indian scientists and
engineers.
 It has two fast reactors each of 235 mW capacity and will use natural
uranium as its fuel.
 The first unit of 235 mW capacity has started generating power from
1983 and the second 235 MW unit is commissioned in 1985.
 The pressurized heavy water reactors will use natural uranium
available in plenty in India.
 The two turbines and steam generators at the Kalpakkam atomic
power project are the largest capacity generating sets installed in our
country. In this power station about 88% local machinery and
equipment have been used.
 Nuclear Power Station In India
 (iv) Narora Nuclear Power Station.
 It is India’s fourth nuclear power station and is being built at
Narora in Uttar Pradesh.
 This plant will initially have two units of 235 mW each and
provision has been made to expand its capacity of 500 mW.
 This plant will have two reactors of the CANDUPHW
(Canadian Deutrium-Uranium-Pressurised Heavy Water) system
and will use natural uranium as its fuel. This plant will be
wholly designed and constructed by the Indian scientists and
engineers.
 This plant supplies power to Delhi, Haryana, Panjab, J and K.
Nuclear Power Station In India
v) Kakarpar Nuclear Power Plant.
 This fifth nuclear power plant of India is to be located at
Kakarpar near Surat in Gujarat.
 This power station will have four reactors each of 235 mW
capacity.
 The reactors proposed to be constructed at Kakarpar would
be of the Candu type natural uranium fuelled and heavy
water moderated reactors-incorporating the standardised
basic design features of the Narora reactors suitably
adapted to local conditions
NUCLEAR POWER STATION IN INDIA
 (vi) Kaiga Atomic Power Plant. The sixth atomic
power plant will be located at Kaiga in Karnataka.
Kaiga is located away from human habitation and is a
well suited site for an atomic power plant.
 It will have two units of 235 mW each.
Nuclear waste disposal
 Waste disposal of nuclear power station is of prime importance
since nuclear waste is likely to have radioactivity . Therefore
these wastes are disposed off in such a manner that it does not
cause harm to human or plant life.
 In case of greenhouse waste , it is passed through filters and
discharged at high level through stacks.
 Moderate liquid waste can be discharged after filtration ,
preliminary treatment ( its PH value is adjusted) and by
diluting and mixing with cooling water discharged in to deep
pits or dry well.
 Highly radioactive liquid waste are kept in concrete tank and
buried into ground till their decay of radioactivity.
 Solid waste arising from discarded control rods fuel can etc are
stored in shielded concrete vaults.
Advantages of A Nuclear Power Plant
 Space requirement of a nuclear power plant is less as compared to
other conventional power plants are of equal size.
 A nuclear power plant consumes very small quantity of fuel. Thus
fuel transportation cost is less and large fuel storage facilities are not
needed Further the nuclear power plants will conserve the fossil fuels
(coal, oil, gas etc.) for other energy need.
 There is increased reliability of operation.
 Nuclear power plants are not effected by adverse weather conditions.
 Nuclear power plants are well suited to meet large power demands.
They give better performance at higher load factors (80 to 90%).
 Materials expenditure on metal structures, piping, storage
mechanisms are much lower for a nuclear power plant than a coal
burning power plant.
 Disadvantages
 Initial cost of nuclear power plant is higher as compared to
hydro or steam power plant.
 Nuclear power plants are not well suited for varying load
conditions.
 Radioactive wastes if not disposed carefully may have bad
effect on the health of workers and other population.
 In a nuclear power plant the major problem faced is the
disposal of highly radioactive waste in form of liquid, solid and
gas without any injury to the atmosphere. The preservation of
waste for a long time creates lot of difficulties and requires
huge capital.
 Maintenance cost of the plant is high.
 It requires trained personnel to handle nuclear power plants.
References
 Power plant Engineering, P.K NAG