ABSTRACT
Nuclear power is derived from the fission of heavy element nuclei or the fusion of light element nuclei. This chapter will discuss nuclear power derived from the fission process, since fusion as a practical power source will not reach the stage of commercial development in the next 20–25 years. In a nuclear reactor, the energy available from the fission process is captured as heat which is transferred to working fluids that are used to generate electricity. Uranium-235 is the primary fissile fuel currently used in nuclear power plants. It is an isotope of uranium that occurs naturally at about 0.72% of all natural uranium deposits. When uranium-235 is “burned” (fissioned) in a reactor, it provides about one megawatt day of energy for each gram of uranium-235 fissioned (3.71E+10 Btu/lb).
