By Levi Anthony - Posted 4/24/2011
Nuclear power is efficient and carbon- free
and is good for the environment. But it also dangerous and the
danger comes from various points in the process. My science
knowledge is limited but here is my understanding of the
problem.
First, a little explanation on how a nuclear plant produces
power.
A nuclear power station works in pretty much the same way as an
oil burning station, except that a “chain reaction” inside a
nuclear reactor makes the heat instead. Fuel rods are inserted
in the reactor. These rods are several feet long and they
contain uranium in the form of small pellets. The heat produce
by the reactor is enormously hot running into thousands of
degrees fahrenheit. Water is then pumped into the reactor. The
intense heat transforms the water into steam. The steam is then
use to drive large turbines which in turn produces electricity.
You may notice that nuclear power plants are usually located
near the coast or large areas of water. This is because the
process uses lots of water both to produce steam and to cool the
plant.
If this didn’t help much, here is a diagram.
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