This process, called fission, entails the splitting of atoms of uranium in a nuclear reactor.

Nuclear power plants obtain the heat needed to produce steam through a physical process. 

The uranium fuel consists

of small, hard ceramic

pellets that are packaged

into long, vertical tubes.

Bundles of this fuel are inserted into

the reactor.

Nuclear fuel consists of two types of uranium, U-238 and U-235. Most of the uranium in nuclear fuel is U-238, but U-235 splits—or fissions—easily. In U-235 atoms, the nucleus, which is composed of protons and neutrons, is unstable. As the nuclei break up, they release neutrons.

When the neutrons hit other uranium atoms, those atoms also split, releasing neutrons of their own, along with heat. These neutrons strike other atoms, splitting them. One fission triggers others, which triggers still more until there is a chain

reaction. When

that happens,

fission becomes

self sustaining.

Rods inserted among the tubes holding the uranium fuel control the nuclear reaction. Control rods, inserted or withdrawn to varying degrees, slow or accelerate the reaction.

Water separates fuel tubes in the reactor. The heat produced by fission turns this water into steam. The steam drives a turbine,

which spins a generator to create

electricity.

Fukushima power

plant, Japan

Following a major earthquake, a 15-metre tsunami disabled the power supply and cooling of three Fukushima Daiichi reactors, causing a nuclear accident on 11 March 2011. All three cores largely melted in the first three days.

TRIVIA:

Refrigerators in the U.S. consume about the same energy as 25 large power plants produce each year.

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.

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.

As of April 2017, 30 countries worldwide are operating 449 nuclear reactors for electricity generation and 60 new nuclear plants are under construction in 15 countries.