Concerns are growing that nearby pools holding spent fuel rods could pose an even greater danger of such a release. The pools, which sit on the top level of the reactor buildings and keep spent fuel submerged in water, have lost their cooling systems and the Japanese have been unable to take emergency steps because of the multiplying crises By March 15, the water meant to cool spent fuel rods in the No. 4 reactor was boiling, Japan s nuclear watchdog said If the water evaporates and the rods run dry, they could overheat and catch fire, potentially spreading radioactive materials in dangerous clouds. Overview Nuclear power plants use the forces within the nucleus of an atom to generate electricity The first nuclear reactor was built by Enrico Fermi below the stands of Stagg Field in Chicago in 1942. The first commercial reactor went into operation in Shippingport, Pa, in December 1957 In its early years, nuclear power seemed the wave of the future a clean source of potentially limitless cheap electricity. But progress was slowed by the high, unpredictable cost of building plants, uneven growth in electric demand, the fluctuating cost of competing fuels like oil and safety concerns Accidents at the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania in 1979 and at the Chernobyl reactor in the Soviet Union in 1986 cast a pall over the industry that was deepened by technical and economic problems. In the 1980S, utilities wasted tens of billions of dollars on reactors they couldnt finish. In theos, companies scrapped several reactors because their operating costs were so high that it was cheaper to buy power elsewhere
Concerns are growing that nearby pools holding spent fuel rods could pose an even greater danger of such a release. The pools, which sit on the top level of the reactor buildings and keep spent fuel submerged in water, have lost their cooling systems and the Japanese have been unable to take emergency steps because of the multiplying crises. By March 15, the water meant to cool spent fuel rods in the No. 4 reactor was boiling, Japan’s nuclear watchdog said. If the water evaporates and the rods run dry, they could overheat and catch fire, potentially spreading radioactive materials in dangerous clouds. Overview Nuclear power plants use the forces within the nucleus of an atom to generate electricity. The first nuclear reactor was built by Enrico Fermi below the stands of Stagg Field in Chicago in 1942. The first commercial reactor went into operation in Shippingport, Pa., in December 1957. In its early years, nuclear power seemed the wave of the future, a clean source of potentially limitless cheap electricity. But progress was slowed by the high, unpredictable cost of building plants, uneven growth in electric demand, the fluctuating cost of competing fuels like oil and safety concerns. Accidents at the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania in 1979 and at the Chernobyl reactor in the Soviet Union in 1986 cast a pall over the industry that was deepened by technical and economic problems. In the 1980s, utilities wasted tens of billions of dollars on reactors they couldn’t finish. In the ‘90s, companies scrapped several reactors because their operating costs were so high that it was cheaper to buy power elsewhere
But recently, in a historic shift, more than a dozen companies around the United States have suddenly become eager to build new nuclear reactors. growing electric demand, higher prices for coal and gas, a generous Congress and a public support fo radical cuts in carbon dioxide emissions have all com bined to change the prospects for reactors, and many companies were ready to try again. The old problems remain, however, like public fear of catastrophe, lack of a permanent waste solution and high construction costs And some new problems have emerged: the credit crisis and the decline worldwide of factories that can make components. The competition in the electric market has also changed Nonetheless, industry executives and taxpayers are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to plan a new chapter for nuclear power in the United States and set the stage for worldwide revival How it works Nuclear power is essentially a very complicated way to boil water Nuclear fuel consists of an element- generally uranium-in which an atom has an usually large nucleus. The nucleus is made up of particles called protons and neutrons. The power produces by a nuclear plant unleashed when the nucleus of one of these atoms is hit by a neutron traveling at the right speed The most common reaction is that the nucleus splits- an event known as nuclear fission-and sets loose more neutrons. Those neutrons hit other nuclei and split them, too At equilibrium-each nuclear fission producing one additional nuclear fission- the reactor undergoes a chain reaction that can last for months oreven vea
But recently, in a historic shift, more than a dozen companies around the United States have suddenly become eager to build new nuclear reactors. Growing electric demand, higher prices for coal and gas, a generous Congress and a public support for radical cuts in carbon dioxide emissions have all combined to change the prospects for reactors, and many companies were ready to try again. The old problems remain, however, like public fear of catastrophe, lack of a permanent waste solution and high construction costs. And some new problems have emerged: the credit crisis and the decline worldwide of factories that can make components. The competition in the electric market has also changed. Nonetheless, industry executives and taxpayers are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to plan a new chapter for nuclear power in the United States and set the stage for worldwide revival. How It Works Nuclear power is essentially a very complicated way to boil water. Nuclear fuel consists of an element – generally uranium – in which an atom has an usually large nucleus. The nucleus is made up of particles called protons and neutrons. The power produces by a nuclear plant unleashed when the nucleus of one of these atoms is hit by a neutron traveling at the right speed. The most common reaction is that the nucleus splits – an event known as nuclear fission — and sets loose more neutrons. Those neutrons hit other nuclei and split them, too. At equilibrium – each nuclear fission producing one additional nuclear fission – the reactor undergoes a chain reaction that can last for months or even years