Currently, it is known that many countries are investing in alternative and clean energy
to try to reduce the amount of greenhouse
gases, contributing thus to the environment. This way, the Nuclear
Energy is one of
which we can consider as a source
of clean energy, it does not release these greenhouse
gases. However, as
everything has pros and cons, there are
some disadvantages that should be considered when we think about whether or not to use this
feature.
In general, obtaining Electricity from Nuclear Energy
occurs in three steps. The first step occurs inside the reactor,
from nuclear fission which is the splitting of
atoms after their impact with a
thermal neutron. The most used element
to manufacture the fuel rods is Uranium-235. From
Thermal Energy released the
second step occurs because
it is used to heat water used in the first step to cool the reactor, forming water steam that will move turbines. Finally, the
rotation of turbine generates
mechanical energy that is converted into electric energy.
In the first step, water is used to cool the core of the nuclear reactor. In the second, we use sea water to cool the water steam, condensing it.
The amount of energy that is generated in this process is large, besides being an energy source considered clean and not conditioned by climate
factors such as wind and rain.
But, on the other hand, the construction and use of nuclear power
plants generates huge controversy
and is usually rejected by
population, particularly among people who live near the plants, in
view of the disasters that occurred
when nuclear leak, as the case in Chernobyl and
more recently, in the city of Fukushima, Japan.
We need to reflect on both sides of
the issue. Making a lists of
pros and cons of
the use of Nuclear Energy for
Electricity production we have:
- Pros
-
It does not pollute the air with sulfur, nitrogen gases, among others, causing
less impact on the
biosphere, increasing the greenhouse effect;
-
It does not require a very large area for
construction of the plant, when compared
to a hydroelectric power plant, for
instance;
-
It has few risks in transporting the fuel;
-
It is Independent of climatic factors like rainfall, winds and seasonal factors;
-
Almost all of the raw material is used, generating less waste;
-
There is wide availability of uranium in the country;
-
It is the
most concentrated source of energy generation;
-
It is economically
attractive because the
price per kilowatts is low and it does not
depend on the price
of fuel like others sources of energy;
- Cons
-
Radioactive
nuclear waste should be stored in safe and isolated places;
-
Difficulty in storing the waste;
-
Risk of
using the technologies used in
fuel enrichment and waste handling for military purposes, increasing the amount of nuclear weapons;
-
Risk of nuclear accidents;
-
Environmental problems due to the aquatic ecosystems by heating the cooling water reactors.
-
Higher
production cost compared to other sources.
-
Employees
may be directly exposed to radiation if there is a security failure.
Analyzing all these pros and cons, should we use nuclear
energy as an energy source? Are risks bigger than benefits? We must think about it.
Aline Midori (Translation: Fernanda Romero)
Information source:
-
http://www.infoescola.com/fisica/energia-nuclear/
http://www.vestibulandoweb.com.br/fisica/teoria/vantagens-desvantagens-energia-nuclear.asp
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