Alpha decay คืออะไร

Alpha decay is one process that unstable atoms can use to become
more stable. During alpha decay, an atom's nucleus sheds two protons and
two neutrons in a packet that scientists call an alpha particle.
Since an atom loses two protons during alpha decay, it changes from
one element to another. For example, after undergoing alpha decay, an
atom of uranium (with 92 protons) becomes an atom of thorium (with 90
protons).
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ี ช
ี่ นิดและแต่ละชนิดเป็ นอย่ำงไร จงอธิบำย
nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei are
combined to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic
particles (neutrons or protons). The difference in mass between the
reactants and products is manifested as either the release or absorption of
energy. This difference in mass arises due to the difference in atomic
"binding energy" between the atomic nuclei before and after the reaction.
Fusion is the process that powers active or "main sequence" stars, or other
high magnitude stars.
In nuclear fission the nucleus of an atom breaks up into two lighter
nuclei. The process may take place spontaneously in some cases or may
be induced by the excitation of the nucleus with a variety of particles (e.g.,
neutrons, protons, deuterons, or alpha particles) or with electromagnetic
radiation in the form of gamma rays. In the fission process, a large quantity
of energy is released, radioactive products are formed, and several
neutrons are emitted.
จงอธิบำยเรือ
่ งไอโซโตปรังสี มำพอเข้ำใจ
Isotopes are the atoms in an element that have the same atomic
number but a different atomic mass; that is, the same number of protons
and thus identical chemical properties, but different numbers of neutrons
and consequently different physical properties. Isotopes can be stable or
unstable or radioisotopes. In the latter, their nuclei have a special property:
they emit energy in the form of ionizing radiation while searching for a more
stable configuration.
จงอธิบำยเรือ
่ งกำกกัมมันตรังสี
Radioactive waste is waste that contains radioactive material.
Radioactive waste is usually a by-product of nuclear power generation and
other applications of nuclear fission or nuclear technologyใ
Radioactivity naturally decays over time, so radioactive waste has to
be isolated and confined in appropriate disposal facilities for a sufficient
period until it no longer poses a threat. The time radioactive waste must be
stored for depends on the type of waste and radioactive isotopes. Current
approaches to managing radioactive waste have been segregation and
storage for short-lived waste, near-surface disposal for low and some
intermediate level waste, and deep burial or partitioning / transmutation for
the high-level waste.
องค์ประกอบหลักของเตำปฏิกรณ์ นิวเคลียร์มอ
ี ะไรบ้ำง จงอธิบำย

Fuel. Uranium is the basic fuel. Usually pellets of uranium oxide

(UO2) are arranged in tubes to form fuel rods. The rods are arranged into
fuel assemblies in the reactor core. In a 1000 MWe class PWR there might
be 51,000 fuel rods with over 18 million pellets.
 Moderator. Material in the core which slows down the neutrons
released from fission so that they cause more fission. It is usually water, but
may be heavy water or graphite.
Control rods. These are made with neutron-absorbing material such
as cadmium, hafnium or boron, and are inserted or withdrawn from the core
to control the rate of reaction, or to halt it.* In some PWR reactors, special
control rods are used to enable the core to sustain a low level of power
efficiently. (Secondary control systems involve other neutron absorbers,
usually boron in the coolant – its concentration can be adjusted over time as
the fuel burns up.) PWR control rods are inserted from the top, BWR
cruciform blades from the bottom of the core.
Coolant. A fluid circulating through the core so as to transfer the heat
from it. In light water reactors the water moderator functions also as primary
coolant. Except in BWRs, there is secondary coolant circuit where the water
becomes steam. (See also later section on primary coolant characteristics.)
A PWR has two to four primary coolant loops with pumps, driven either by
steam or electricity – China’s Hualong One design has three, each driven by
a 6.6 MW electric motor, with each pump set weighing 110 tones.
Pressure vessel or pressure tubes. Usually a robust steel vessel
containing the reactor core and moderator/coolant, but it may be a series of
tubes holding the fuel and conveying the coolant through the surrounding
moderator.
Steam generator. Part of the cooling system of pressurised water
reactors (PWR & PHWR) where the high-pressure primary coolant bringing
heat from the reactor is used to make steam for the turbine, in a secondary
circuit. Essentially a heat exchanger like a motor car radiator. Reactors
have up to six 'loops', each with a steam generator. Since 1980 over 110
PWR reactors have had their steam generators replaced after 20-30 years
service, 57 of these in USA.
Type of Nuclear Reactor
Pressurized Water Reactors
 Pressurized water reactors (PWRs) are the most common type of
reactor worldwide. PWRs use ordinary (or “light”) water as both coolant and
moderator. The coolant is pressurized to stop it from flashing into steam keep
it liquid during operation. Powerful pumps circulate the water through pipes,
transferring heat that boils water in a separate, secondary loop. The resulting
steam drives the electricity-producing turbine generators.
Boiling Water Reactors

Boiling water reactors (BWRs) make up 15% of reactors globally. In a

BWR, light water acts as both coolant and moderator. The coolant is kept at
a lower pressure than in a PWR, allowing it to boil. The steam is passed
directly to the turbine generators to produce electricity. While the absence
of a steam generator simplifies the design, radioactivity can contaminate
the turbine.
Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors
 Also known as CANDU reactors, pressurized heavy water reactors
(PHWRs) represent about 12% of the reactors in the world and are used at
all Canadian nuclear power generation stations. They use heavy water as
both coolant and moderator, and use natural uranium as fuel. As in a PWR,
the coolant is used to boil ordinary water in a separate loop. CANDU
reactors can be refueled without shutting the reaction down.
Gas-Cooled Reactors

Gas-cooled reactors (GCRs) are in use only in the United Kingdom.

There are two types, the Magnox (named from the magnesium alloy used
to clad the fuel elements) and the advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR).
Both types use carbon dioxide as the coolant and graphite as the
moderator. The Magnox uses natural uranium as fuel, while the AGR uses
enriched uranium. Like CANDU reactors, these designs can be refueled
while operating.
Light Water Graphite Reactors
 Light water graphite reactors (LWGRs) are used in Russia, with
ordinary water as the coolant and graphite as the moderator. As with
BWRs, the coolant boils as it passes through the reactor and the resulting
steam is passed directly to turbine generators. Early LWGR designs were
often built and operated without the safety characteristics and features
required elsewhere. The well-known 1986 accident at Chernobyl (Ukraine)
happened to a reactor of this type.

Nuclear Energy Pros and Cons

Pros
1. Low Pollution: Nuclear power also has a lot fewer greenhouse
emissions. It has been determined that the amount of greenhouse gases
have decreased by almost half because of the prevalence in the utilization
of nuclear power. Nuclear energy has the least effect on nature since it
doesn’t discharge any gasses like methane and carbon dioxide, which are
the primary “greenhouse gasses.” There is no unfavorable impact on water,
land or any territories because of the utilization of nuclear power, except in
times where transportation is utilized.
2. Low Operating Costs: Nuclear power produces very inexpensive
electricity. The cost of the uranium, which is utilized as a fuel in this
process, is low. Also, even though the expense of setting up nuclear power
plants is moderately high, the expense of running them is quite low low.
The normal life of nuclear reactor is anywhere from 40-60 years, depending
on how often it is used and how it is being used. These variables, when
consolidated, make the expense of delivering power low. Even if the cost of
uranium goes up, the impact on the cost of power will be that much lower.
3. Reliability: It is estimated that with the current rate of consumption
of uranium, we have enough uranium for another 70-80 years. A nuclear
power plant when in the mode of producing energy can run uninterrupted
for even a year. As solar and wind energy are dependent upon weather
conditions, nuclear power plant has no such constraints and can run
without disruption in any climatic condition.There are sure monetary focal
points in setting up nuclear power plants and utilizing nuclear energy in lieu
of traditional energy. It is one of the significant sources of power all through
the country. The best part is that this energy has a persistent supply. It is
broadly accessible, there is a lot in storage, and it is believed that the
supply is going to last much, much longer than that of fossil fuels that are
used in the same capacity.
4. More Proficient Than Fossil Fuels: The other primary point of
interest of utilizing nuclear energy is that it is more compelling and more
proficient than other energy sources. A number of nuclear energy
innovations have made it a much more feasible choice than others. They
have high energy density as compared to fossil fuels. The amount of fuel
required by nuclear power plant is comparatively less than what is required
by other power plants as energy released by nuclear fission is
approximately ten million times greater than the amount of energy released
by fossil fuel atom. This is one the reason that numerous nations are
putting a lot of time and money into nuclear power. What’s nuclear power’s
greatest benefit, above any other benefit that we may explore? It doesn’t
rely on fossil fuels and isn’t influenced by fluctuating oil and gas costs. Coal
and natural gas power plants discharge carbon dioxide into the air, which
causes a number of environmental issues. With nuclear power plants,
carbon emissions are insignificant.
5. Renewable: Nuclear energy is not renewable resource. Uranium,
the nuclear fuel that is used to produced nuclear energy is limited and
cannot be produced again and again on demand. On the other hand, by
using breeder and fusion reactors, we can produce other fissionable
element. One such element is called plutonium that is produced by the by-
products of chain-reaction. Also, if we know how to control atomic fusion,
the same reactions that fuel the sun, we can have almost unlimited energy.
 Cons
1. Environmental Impact: One of the biggest issues is environmental
impact in relation to uranium. The process of mining and refining uranium
hasn’t been a clean process. Actually transporting nuclear fuel to and from
plants represents a pollution hazard. Also, once the fuel is used, you can’t
simply take it to the landfill – it’s radioactive and dangerous.
2. Radioactive Waste Disposal: As a rule, a nuclear power plant
creates 20 metric tons of nuclear fuel per year, and with that comes a lot of
nuclear waste. When you consider each nuclear plant on Earth, you will find
that that number jumps to approximately 2,000 metric tons a year. The
greater part of this waste transmits radiation and high temperature, implying
that it will inevitably consume any compartment that holds it. It can also
cause damage to living things in and around the plants. Nuclear power
plants create a lot of low-level radioactive waste as transmitted parts and
supplies. Over time, used nuclear fuel decays to safe radioactive levels,
however this takes a countless number of years. Even low level radioactive
waste takes hundreds of years to achieve adequate levels of safety.
3. Nuclear Accidents: The radioactive waste produced can pose
serious health effects on the lives of people as well as the environment.
The Chernobyl accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl
Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine was the worst nuclear accident in the
history. Its harmful effects on humans and ecology can still be seen today.
Then there was another accident that happened in Fukushima in Japan.
Although the casualties were not that high, but it caused serious
environmental concerns.
4. High Cost: At present, the nuclear business let waste cool for a
considerable length of time before blending it with glass and putting away it
in enormous cooled, solid structures. This waste must be kept up, observed
and watched to keep the materials from falling into the wrong hands and
causing problems. These administrations and included materials cost cash
– on top of the high expenses needed to put together a plant, which may
make it less desirable to invest in. It requires permission from several
international authorities and it is normally opposed by the people who live in
that region.
 5. Uranium is Finite: Just like other sources of fuel, uranium is also
finite and exists in few of the countries. It is pretty expensive to mine, refine
and transport uranium. It produces considerable amount of waste during all
these activities and can result in environmental contamination and serous
health effects, if not handled properly.
6. Hot Target for Militants: Nuclear energy has immense power.
Today, nuclear energy is used to make weapons. If these weapons go into
the wrong hands, that could be the end of this world. Nuclear power plants
are prime target for terrorism activities. Little lax in security can be brutal for
humankind.