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| Fig. 1: Trends of China's use of nuclear energy, from Table 1. [1] (Image source: T. Chen) |
Nuclear power, as a formidable source of electricity, is derived from the controlled release of energy through nuclear fission processes. At the core of this intricate system lies a nuclear reactor where enriched uranium undergoes controlled chain reactions, emitting an immense amount of heat. This heat is then employed to generate steam, which, in turn, powers turbines connected to generators, ultimately producing electricity. The significance of nuclear power in the global energy landscape cannot be overstated, as it offers a reliable and potent alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based energy sources. However, it is imperative to acknowledge the accompanying challenges and concerns, ranging from nuclear waste disposal to safety considerations, which necessitate rigorous regulatory frameworks and ongoing advancements in technology to harness this energy source responsibly.
China is currently one of the fastest-growing nuclear power generator globally. Since 2000, China has increased its operating reactors by over ten times, with plans to bring five units into commercial operation in the current year. The National Energy Administration plans to increase China's nuclear capacity target to 120-150 gigawatts by 2030, asserting that nuclear power is economically competitive due to a well-established system. [2] China's advantage lies in localizing technology, enabling the nation to pursue nuclear power expansion both domestically and globally.
Table 1 shows China's consumption of nuclear energy from 2011 to 2021. It may be seen to have stably grown.
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| Table 1: Consumption of nuclear energy in China from 2011 to 2021, expressed in exajoules (1 EJ = 1018 J). [1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
However, we seeing that the consumption of nuclear energy grow, we also have to consider the impact of generating nuclear power. In the process of producing nuclear power, waste is also produced. At 5% enrichment the energy per kilogram of fresh fuel rod is:
| 0.05 × 230 × 106 eV/atom
× 1.602 × 10-19 J/eV
× 6.022 x 1023 atoms/mole 0.238 kg/mole |
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| = | 4.66 × 1012J/kg = 4.66 × 10-6 EJ/kg |
The mass of high-level waste generated each year is exactly equal to the mass of fuel rod consumed each year - assuming for simplicity no reprocessing. This then gives a 2021 waste generation rate of:
| 3.68 EJ/y 4.66 × 10-6 EJ/kg |
= | 7.90 x 105 kg/y | = | 790 tonnes/year |
This waste's radioactivity can be a serious health risk for people.
© Tianyi Chen. The author warrants that the work is the author's own and that Stanford University provided no input other than typesetting and referencing guidelines. The author grants permission to copy, distribute and display this work in unaltered form, with attribution to the author, for noncommercial purposes only. All other rights, including commercial rights, are reserved to the author.
[1] "BP Statistical Review of World Energy," British Petroleum, June 2022.
[2] L. Gil, "How China has Become the World's Fastest Expanding Nuclear Power Producer," IAEA Bull, 58, No. 4, 12 (November 2017).