Mr.Nitin S.

Patil
Sanjay Ghodawat Polytechnic, Atigre
Electrical Engineering Department

Nuclear Power Plant

SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

INDEX
Page
Sr.No. Contents
Number
1 Introduction of the topic: Nuclear Power Plant 4
2 Definition & Basic Principal 5
3 List of Nuclear Power Plants 6
4 Selection of site for the nuclear power plant 7
5 A Brief Review of Atomic Physics 9
6 Nuclear fuels 15
7 Schematic Arrangement of Nuclear Power Plant 17
8 Main parts of reactors and their Function 19
9 Main Parts & Its Explanation of Nuclear Reactor 21
10 Types of Nuclear Reactor 26
11 Control of Nuclear Reactor 30
12 Nuclear Waste Management 33
13 Advantages & Disadvantages of Nuclear Power Plant 38
14 Important Words & its Meaning 40

Mr.N.S.Patil 2
SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

Chapter No. 4

Nuclear Power Plant

Total hours: 10 Marks: 20

Fig: Internal Parts of Nuclear Power Plant

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

Introduction of the topic: Nuclear Power Plant:-

1. Why? Nuclear Power Plant:

In previous two chapters, we studied how electricity produced with the help
of water & coal (known as Hydro & Thermal Power Plant). But, now a day’s our
population as well as industrial sector increases, it means that demand of electrical
power increases day by day. To fulfill this demand water & coal is of limited
edition, so we required searching newly source of energy for production &
fulfillment of electrical demand.

To overcome the above mentioned problem, nuclear energy is a best solution

to produce huge amount of electrical energy. With the fission process of ,
, we have to produce this energy. This topic is similar to thermal
power plant, in thermal power, coal is used to produce heat energy on the other
hand in nuclear heat energy is produced with fission process of uranium, thorium
& plutonium.

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

2. Definition of Nuclear Power Plant:

The Power Plant which uses nuclear energy of radioactive material (Uranium or Thorium)
converted into Electrical Energy is known as Nuclear Power Plant.

3. Basic Principal of Nuclear Power Plant:

Every power plant has its own basic principal, on the basis of this the plant
works. The Basic Principal of Nuclear Power Plant is given below:

CE↔HE ↔KE ↔ME ↔EE

As we know that, the freely moving neutrons bombarded with radioactive

material (U235 or Th232) the heat energy produced, with the help of this heat energy
& water a steam produced at high pressure & temperature. High pressure steam
passes towards turbine where KE is converted to ME. We know that, turbine &
generator are mechanically coupled through this combination an Electrical Energy
is produced in Nuclear Power Plant.

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

4. List of Nuclear Power Plant in Maharashtra & India with their installed
capacities:

( )

Q.1) State the nuclear power plant in Maharashtra with their installed capacity?

Q.2) State the nuclear power plant in India with their installed capacities?

Q.3) list any FOUR nuclear power stations in India with their generating
capacity?

Q.4) list out any TWO nuclear power stations in India with Capacity

Q.5) State locations of any four nuclear power plants in India

Total
Type of
Sr.No. Place State Operator Unit Installed
Reactor
Capacity

1 Kaiga Karnataka NPCIL PHWR 220 x 4 880 MW

2 Kakrapar Gujarat NPCIL PHWR 220 x 2 440
3 Madras Tamil Nadu NPCIL PHWR 220 x 2 440
4 Narora Uttar Pradesh NPCIL PHWR 220 x 2 440
100 x 1
5 Rawatbhata Rajasthan NPCIL PHWR 200 x 1 1180
220 x 4
NPCIL PHWR 540 x 2
6 Tarapur Maharashtra 1440
BWR 160 x 2
7 Kudankulam Tamil Nadu NPCIL PHWR 1000 x 1 1000

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

5. Factors governing Selection of site for the nuclear power plant

Site Selection of Nuclear Power Station ( )

Q.1) state any FOUR factors on which location of nuclear power plant depend

1. Availability of water ( ): Sufficient supply of neutral

water is obvious for generating steam & cooling purposes in nuclear power
station.

2. Disposal of Waste ( ): The wastes of nuclear power

station are radioactive and may cause severe health hazards. Because of this,
special care to be taken during disposal of wastes of nuclear power plant.
The wastes must be buried in sufficient deep from earth level or these must
be disposed off in sea quite away from the sea share.

-
-

3. Distance from Populated Area ( ): As there is always a probability of

radioactivity, it is always preferable to locate a nuclear station sufficiently
away from populated area.

4. Transportation Facilities ( ): During commissioning period,

heavy equipments to be erected, which to be transported from manufacturer
site. So good railways and road ways availabilities are required.

-
.

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5. Skilled Person Requirement ( ): For availability of

skilled manpower to run & handle the plant also good public transport
should also be present at the site.

6. Near to Load Centre ( ): As we know that generating stations

are far away from thickly populated area, so to reduce the transmission &
distribution losses the plant should located near to load centre.

7. Storage of Nuclear Material ( ): the nuclear materials

are radioactive, which are dangerous to health to overcome this drawback a

separate arrangement provided for storage of material.

8. Geographical Condition ( ): the radioactive material are very

dangerous to human health & all living organisms, if due to earthquake

chances occurs to blast the reactors to avoided this the area should be free
from earthquake.

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

6. A Brief Review of Atomic Physics:

a. Atom:

Definition: The smallest particle of a nucleus is known as atom.

The nucleus is present in every atom central part. These nucleuses consist of
number of protons & neutrons. Out of that the protons are positively charges &
neutrons are negatively charged (electrically neutral).

These nucleus carries positively charged (protons) & the electrons revolving
in elliptical orbit. If the number of protons is equal to number of neutrons then the
atoms are stable.

b. Mass Number & Atomic Number:

Mass number is defined as the sum of atomic number & number of neutrons in
the nucleus.

Atomic number is defined as the number of protons present in the nucleus.

Mass number (A) = Atomic number (Z) + Number of neutrons in nucleus.

For example Helium having Mass Number = 4 & Atomic Number = 2

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

c. Isotopes:

Isotopes are defined as the atoms consist of same number of protons but
different number of neutrons in the nucleus is known as isotopes.

Q.1) what is radioactive isotope? Give one example. Also explain mass defect &
binding energy in brief?

d. Radioactive isotopes:

If the number of protons are not equal to the number of neutrons in the nucleus,
then the atoms are unstable this is known as radioactive isotopes.

For e.g. the radioactive material uranium, thorium are don’t have same number
of protons & neutrons because in this material too many or too few neutrons in
their nucleus.

e. Mass energy equivalence:

Mass-energy equivalence states that mass are concentrated energy.

In his theory of special relativity Einstein formulated the equation E=mc^2.

There is a tremendous amount of energy in mass. A 20g marble contains as much
energy as a 500 kiloton hydrogen bomb, but this energy is very difficult to release.
It can be released through matter-antimatter annihilation, when matter and
antimatter come together.

Nuclear reactions can be understood to release so much more energy than

chemical reactions because of the mass changes.

f. Binding energy:

Nuclei are made up of protons and neutron, but the mass of a nucleus is always
less than the sum of the individual masses of the protons and neutrons which
constitute it.

The difference is a measure of the nuclear binding energy which holds the
nucleus together.

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

This binding energy can be calculated from the Einstein relationship: Nuclear
binding energy = Δmc2

Or

Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to split a nucleus of an atom into
its component parts: protons and neutrons, or, collectively, the nucleons. The
binding energy of nuclei is always a positive number, since all nuclei require net
energy to separate them into individual protons and neutrons.

g. Mass defect:

In chain reaction we have studied that, when a slow moves neutron hits a heavy
nucleus, this heavy nucleus splits into two nearly equal parts & with the help of
this releases a huge amount of heat energy due to mass defect.

i.e.

Every heavy atoms mass are not equal, when a neutron hits them it produces a
huge amount of heat energy released, this is known as mass defect.

h. Nuclear chain reaction:

Q.1) Explain nuclear chain reaction & multiplying factor w.r.t. nuclear power
plant.
Q.2) Explain the nuclear chain reaction in nuclear power plant?

Fig: Nuclear Chain Reaction

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

Nuclear chain reaction is possible only with heavy nucleus such as uranium,
thorium & plutonium etc. because these heavy nucleuses are more unstable.

The nuclear chain reaction states that: if slow moving neutrons hits (or
bombarded) with the heavy or unstable nucleus, then the neutrons are absorbed &
this nucleus splits into two equal or similar parts due to this process a lot of kinetic
energy released in the form of heat. This process is continued, it is known as
nuclear chain reaction.

The below mentioned figure shows that the chain reaction

i. Nuclear fission: It is a process by which the nucleus of an atom is split into

two or more smaller nuclei, known as fission products like uranium, thorium
etc.

j. Nuclear Fusion:

Fig: Nucleus Fusion Process

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

It is the process of releasing huge amount of heat energy is known as nuclear

fusion.

k. Multiplication or Reproduction factor (K):

It is the ratio of number of neutrons generated in one generation to the

number of neutrons in the preceding generation.
In case of nuclear power plant the term multiplication factor is useful
for status or condition of chain reaction & it is denoted by K.
If K >1 then the chain reaction is in super critical stage.
If K=1 then the chain reaction is in critical stage.
If K <1 then the chain reaction is in sub-critical stage.

l. Critical size:

In case of a nuclear power plant, the term nuclear reactor is one which produces
neutrons to balance those lost & absorbed & at the same time maintain chain
reaction.

For every thermal power plant the value of critical size is maintained K=1. i.e.
the reactor is in critical stage.

m. Nuclear Fusion & Fission Process & its comparism.

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

Or

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

7. Nuclear fuels:

Q.1) what are the different fuels used in nuclear power plant? Write in short?

Q.2) state any two fuels used in nuclear power plant?

In Nuclear Power Plant for the Production of heat energy Uranium, thorium &
plutonium fuels are used.

a. Uranium & its properties:

Atomic Number: 92
Melting Point: 1408 K (1135°C or 2075°F)
Boiling Point: 4404 K (4131°C or 7468°F)
Uranium is a very important element because it provides us with
nuclear fuel used to generate electricity in nuclear power stations.
Naturally occurring uranium consists of 99% uranium-238 and 1%
uranium-235. Uranium-235 is the only naturally occurring fissionable
fuel (a fuel that can sustain a chain reaction).

b. Natural Uranium: it consists of 0.714% of & 99.28% .

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

c. Enriched Uranium: The Process used to increase the percentage of is

known as enrichment. This will help us to maintain chain reaction. Normally
it contains higher percentages (3 to 4%) of .
Plutonium: Due to the absorption of neutrons without fusion in &
the plutonium is formed. Atomic Number: 94,Melting point:
641 °C, Boiling point: 3232 °C
d. Uranium oxide: it is also formed due to enrichment process, but it is in
brittle & produced in the form of powder.

e. Uranium Carbide: this material is not economical in use, but it has very
good properties to use as nuclear fuel.

f. Thorium & its properties:

Atomic Number: 90
Melting Point: 1750 0c
Boiling Point: 4790 0c
A weakly radioactive, silvery metal.
Before it uses of Thorium first up all converted into
Thorium is weakly radioactive: all its known isotopes are unstable, with the
six naturally occurring ones (thorium-227, 228, 230, 231, 232, and 234).
India and China are in the process of developing nuclear power plants with
thorium reactors, but this is still a very new technology.
Thorium has higher cost that’s why it is not popular.

Mr.N.S.Patil 16
SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

8. Schematic Arrangement of Nuclear Power Plant: (Ref. Fig.)

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

Q.1) Explain working of nuclear power plant with block diagram?

Q.2) Draw the schematic arrangement of the typical nuclear power plant and state
the function of reflector?

The above figure shows, the schematic arrangement of nuclear power plant.
Every nuclear power plant consists of following main parts, which are mentioned
below:

1. Nuclear Reactor ( )
2. Heat Exchanger ( )

3. Steam Turbine ( )
4. Condenser & Cooling Tower ( )

5. Feed Water Heater ( )

The nuclear reactor function is to produce heat at high temperature. For

producing heat the reactor uses, nuclear fuel these are uranium or thorium etc.
when the slowly moving neutrons hits the nuclear fuel it produces heat. This
heat passes to the heat exchanger; other input to this heat exchanger is heated
water. The water is heated with the help of feed water heater. The main function
of heat exchanger is to produce steam at high pressure. This high pressure
steam passes to the steam turbine. When this steam flow towards turbine it
starts rotating, the turbine & alternator are coupled mechanically.
Simultaneously alternator starts rotating and the electrical power produced. The
exhaust hot steam is passes to the condenser, where it is condensed by using
cooling tower, and it is again passing to the heat exchanger through feed water
heater. This process is continued.

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

9. Main parts of reactors and their Function:

Following are the main parts of every nuclear power plant:

Q.1) state the function of following components of a nuclear power station:

moderator, shielding, control rod & coolant?

Fig: Nuclear Reactor

Fig: 3D View of Nuclear Reactor

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

Main Parts & Its Explanation of Nuclear Reactor: (Image View)

Fig: All interior Parts of Nuclear Power Plants with its function

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

Main Parts & Its Explanation of Nuclear Reactor:

1. Nuclear Fuels.
2. Moderator.
3. Control rods.
4. Reflectors
5. Shielding
6. Reactor vessel
7. Heat Exchanger
8. Coolant
9. Turbine
10. Condenser
11. Cooling Tower
12. Water Treatment Chamber.
1. Nuclear Fuel: ( )

In Nuclear Power Plant the fuels used are, or or . Out of the three fuel any
one of the fuel used in nuclear power plant. The fuel is required in nuclear power plant to
produce a huge amount of heat energy. The fuel are inserted in fuel rod, these fuel rods are
bombarded with slow moving neutrons. Separate provision provided for bombarded or hits the
neutron to the fuel rod, this device is known as neutron bombardment device.

2. Moderator:

Fig: Arrangement of Moderator in Nuclear Reactor

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

Q.1) Give four properties of a good moderator for nuclear reaction control?

In nuclear power plant, moderator is a device, of rod shaped. Moderator is

placed near the nuclear fuel rod.

The main function of moderator in nuclear power plant is reduce the speed of
neutrons (neutron at slower speed is required to produce fission) & increases the
fission processes. Moderator rod is made up of graphite or heavy water or
beryllium material.

3. Control Rods:

In nuclear power plant, the control rods are placed in between nuclear fuel rod,
moderator and then control rod. These control rods are operated either
automatically or manually. (To start or stop the chain reaction).

In nuclear power plant the main function of control rod is to control the chain
reaction. If the control rod is inserted then it absorbs the freely moving neutrons &
stop the chain reaction, if it is no inserted chain reaction is in process, means chain
reaction continued. The steady rate or to stop the chain reaction is maintained
through control rods. The control rods are made up of cadmium, boron (alloyed
with steel or aluminum).

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

Q.1) Explain the purpose of shielding & reflector in nuclear power plant?

Q.2) state the purpose of reflector in nuclear power plant?

4. Reflector:

Before shielding, the reflector is placed. The reflector is used to surround the
reactor core. The reflector will also help to bounce the escaping neutrons back to
the reactor core & it conserve the nuclear fuel.

5. Shielding:

Shielding is the also important part of nuclear power plant, shielding is in other
words protecting. In nuclear reactor, first one is nuclear fuel rod then moderator,
control rod & reflector. Through this shielding is provided. When the chain
reaction starts, heat energy start to produce. During this period lots of radiation or
rays are produced, these are very harmful; to avoid this shielding is provided in
reactor.

6. Reactor vessel:

After shielding the next layer is a reactor vessel. This vessel encloses reactor
core, reflector, shielding. It is used to protect complete nuclear reactor. Few holes
are provided in the top portion of reactor vessel to insert control rods & at lower
side of this vessel fuel & moderator assembly are placed.

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

7. Heat Exchanger:

The main function of heat exchanger in nuclear power plant is the boiled the
cold water and produces steam at high temperature & pressure.

Heat exchanger is used in nuclear power plant, to exchange the heat i.e. it
consists of one input to feed the cold water & output to flow of hot steam. The heat
exchanger receives the heat from reactor, this heat is continuously circulated
through pipe, before it is re-entered to the reactor it is filter. By using this heat a
heat exchanger boils the cold water produces steam at high temperature &
Pressure. Further this steam passes to the steam turbine for generation of electrical
power.

,
. .

8. Coolant:

Q.1) Write the function of coolant in nuclear power plant?

The coolant becomes a cold metal. In coolant the gases are used like carbon
dioxide, air, hydrogen etc. the heats from the heat exchanger are re-circulated to
the reactor through pump after filtration. During filtrations the unwanted impurities
in the coolant are removed.

9. Turbine:

We know that, the turbine is a mechanical device and it is mechanically coupled

with alternator. In case of nuclear power plant turbine receives steam from heat
exchange at high pressure, and it rotates at high speed then alternator also rotates,

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

this way electrical power produced. The exhaust steam from turbine passes to
condenser for further use.

10. Condenser:

The condenser receives an exhaust hot steam from turbine; with the help of
water it is cooled. Water taken from available water sources e.g. river and is
filtered in water treatment plant. This water is re-circulated to heat exchanger
through feed water heater & Pump.

11. Cooling Tower:

The cooling towers are used to convert the hot water or steam exhausted from
turbine into normal water. That is, its temperature decreases at normal temperature.

12. Water treatment chamber:

The water treatment chamber provides filter water to the cooling tower,
condenser through available water source. It also reduces unwanted impurities in
the stored water.

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

10. Types of Nuclear Reactor:

The nuclear reactors are classified into four types. These are mentioned below:

( )

1. Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR).

2. Boiling Water Reactor (BWR).
3. Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor (AGCR).
4. Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR).
1. Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR).

Q.1) explain working of pressurised water nuclear reactor?

Fig 1: Pressurised Water Reactor

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

In PWR the enriched uranium fuel is used. When the chain reaction starts the reactor
core produces heat energy at high temperature. This produced heat energy passes to the
heat exchanger. We have passed the hot metal to the heat exchanger, this metal is also
radioactive, and that’s why heat exchanger also requires shielding. The pressure equalizer
uses to maintain the pressure of hot metal. In heat exchanger, other side tubes of water
are inserted; this will help us to boil the water & Produces steam at high pressure. This
steam passes to the steam turbine for the generation of electrical energy with the help of
alternator. After that the exhausted steam passes to the condenser this process is
continued.

Pressurised Water Reactor

- -
Heat Exchanger) Heat Exchanger

Pressure Equalizer

2. Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

Q.1) explain working of boiler water nuclear reactor?

Fig: Boiling Water Reactor

Pressurized Water reactor -

Heat Exchanger)

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

In BWR, the enriched uranium fuel is used in reactor. In this type of reactor
water is directly passes to the bottom of reactor core. When the chain reaction
starts, the reactor core produces a heat energy, which is help full to boiled the
water & produced steam at high temperature & Pressure. This steam passes to the
turbine, through turbine-alternator combination electrical power produced. The
exhausted steam from the steam turbine passes to the condenser. Where it is
condensed, and again passes to the reactor core through pump.

3. Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor:

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

Q.1) with neat diagram, explain the main features of advanced gas cooled reactor?
As its name indicates, it is advanced for the PWR & BWR. For the above mentioned two
reactors, we used water for the production of steam. But in case of advanced gas cooled reactor
gas is used. This gas is passes to the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger receives heat from
reactor core, where its temperature increases, and then it runs the turbine in this way electrical
power is produced.

A gas is of inferior quality to water so far as heat transfer properties are concerned, because
of its poor heat transfer qualities; it required large quantity of gas for circulation. In advanced gas
cooled reactor either carbon dioxide or helium is used as a coolant.

4. Fast Breeder Reactor:

Fig: Fast Breeder Reactor

In fast breeder reactor the fuel used are either enriched uranium or plutonium.
Without using moderator the fuels are kept in fuel blanket. The closed vessel is
surrounded by a fairly thick blanket. The shielding is also provided with boron
material. The core of reactor is cooled by liquid metal.

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

5. Control of Nuclear Reactor:

Q.1) ‘how are nuclear reactor controlled? Explain two different methods in brief?

As we already studied that, why the control rods are used in the nuclear reactor?
In this point we have to study how the nuclear reactors are controlled.

The nuclear reactors are controlled in two ways:

1. By using control rods.

2. Control through flow of coolant.

1. By using control rods:

Fig: Arrangement of Control Rods in Nuclear Reactor

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Q.1) Explain how nuclear reactor is controller using control rods?

Q.2) Explain the role of control rod in nuclear reactor. State any two materials for
control rod.

We know that, in nuclear reactor uranium or thorium or plutonium materials are

used for generation of heat energy.

If a slowly moving neutron hits or bombarded with this heavy nucleus of

nuclear fuel then the chain reaction starts. Once the chain reaction starts then it is
continued. By using control rods, we have to maintain its rate of flow of neutron or
its speed, if the control rod is not used in the nuclear reactor this process is very
dangerous to control. In other words this process is works like atomic bomb.

To avoid this control rods are used in nuclear reactor. The main function of
control rod in nuclear reactor is to absorb the freely moving neutrons. To absorb
these freely moving neutrons from nuclear reactor the control rods are made up of
either boron or cadmium.

The diameter of control rod is 8cm. its height is just more than nuclear reactor.
The control rods operated either automatically or manually. If it is operated
automatically then sensors are used, these sensors give signals to the control rods.
The rods are operated in up & down direction, if it in up then more heat generated
& if it is down then it control the reaction i.e. rate of heat generated is minimum.

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2. Control through flow of coolant:

We know that, the heat is generated in nuclear reactor. This heat is passes to the
heat exchanger for the conversion of boiled water into steam. So the coolant is
used in the nuclear reactor to remove the heat generated. As the operating
temperature of nuclear reactor fluid coolant is used of higher thermal conductivity.

carbon dioxide

There are different methods of nuclear reactor cooling:

1. Annular ducts surrounding and coolant is passed is passed through them.

2. Completely immerse the reactor fuel element in coolant bath.
3. A fluid mixture of fuel & moderator is circulated through the reactor.

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6. Nuclear Waste Management:

Q.1) Explain how nuclear waste is disposed?

Q.2) State the types of radioactive waste generated in a nuclear power station.
Explain the method employed for their disposal?

Q.3) how will you dispose nuclear waste? Explain the method for solid, liquid &
gaseous waste?

In Second World War, we know that the real condition of Japanese city like
Hiroshima & Nagasaki. For consider this example, you know the idea of the:
radioactivity material or how it is dangerous.

The same material we have to use in nuclear reactor, every part of nuclear fuel
cycle produces radioactive waste. These wastes are very dangerous to human
health & it handling very carefully. For e.g. how much electricity generated
through nuclear power plant out of that 5% is cost of wastage.

Based on this means the level of radioactivity material or radiations, nuclear

waste management is classified into three types:

Classification of nuclear (Radioactive) Wastage:

1. Low Level Waste (LLW)

2. Intermediate Level Waste (ILW)
3. High Level Wastage (HLW)

1. LLW (Low Level Waste):

In case of low level waste, the (% Content of Radioactivity) radioactive level is

very less. Normally, this type of waste comes from industries, hospitals, small
nuclear plant. At the time of handling & transport the low level waste, it does not
require shielding. The low level waste buried in land with suitable depth at the time
of disposal.

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2. ILW (Intermediate Level Waste):

The percentage of radioactivity is higher as compared with low level waste. At

the time of handling & transportation shielding is required because, the produce
radioactive are very difficult. It means that it’s affected to human health. At the
time of ILW disposal first up all it is placed in concrete container, after that it is
well sealed. Finally the ILW is buried in underground facility.

3. HLW (High Level Waste):

As compared with LLW & ILW, the HLW is very dangerous to handling as
well as it is directly affected to human health. Most of accidents in nuclear power
plants are occurred due to this HLW. At the time of handling it requires shielding
as well as cooling. The HLW mainly comes from reprocessing of nuclear fuel in
the reactor. The HLW is obtained in liquid form & the heat % is very high.

There are three ways to dispose the HLW.

1. With the help of Storage Tank:

The agitator is placed, which is rotating type. In that agitator the high
temperature liquid waste is kept. Due to its continuous rotation, & outer cooling, it
will help to its high temperature is converter into its normal value. For the
protection & leak proof purpose the closed vessel surrounded by stainless steel

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tank & concrete layer. Whenever the tank is full, it will be well sealed & buried
underground.

2. Disposal through Deep Well Injection:

In this method, first up all the high temperature liquid HLW is kept in storage
tank. Then with the help of pumps these liquid HLW is sent to ground at high
pressure. Its depth is normally 3500 to 16000 feet.

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

3. Vitrification Process:

We know that, the HLW is liquid form & it is difficult to handling and disposal. To
overcome this drawback in vitrification process first up all it is converted into solid
form (the liquid form of HLW is converted into solid form is known as
vitrification).

Whenever the liquid HLW is kept with steel container, it is mixed with glass
forming material through heating process. Due to this a solid glass is formed which
is put in steel container, after that it is surrounded by reinforced concrete. These
tanks are now ready for disposal.

There are two ways of disposing these solid waste tanks:

1. It can be kept in trench deep underground.

2. It can be suspended in sea beads.

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SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

Mr.N.S.Patil 37
SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

7. Advantages & Disadvantages of Nuclear Power Plant.

Advantages of Nuclear Power Station:

1. A nuclear power station occupies much smaller space compared to other

conventional power station of same capacity.

2. This station does not require plenty of water; hence it is not essential to
construct plant near natural source of water.

3. This also does not required huge quantity of fuel; for e.g. 1 kg of uranium
produces a heat which is equivalent to 4300 tonnes of coal.

4. It is possible to locate the plant near to load center

5. If bulk power is produced it is economical.

6. Clean operation, no ash is produced.

7. Area required is very less.

8. Independent of geographical conditions.

9. Saving of natural resources such as coal, oil, gas etc.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Power Plant

Q.1) write down any two disadvantages of nuclear power plant?

1. The fuel is not easily available and it is very costly.

2. Initial cost for constructing nuclear power station is quite high.

3. Erection and commissioning of this plant is much complicated.

4. The fission by products is radioactive in nature, and it may cause high

radioactive pollution.

5. The maintenance cost is higher and the man power required to run a nuclear
power plant is quite higher since specialty trained people are required.

6. Sudden fluctuation of load cannot be met up efficiently by nuclear plant.

Mr.N.S.Patil 38
SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

7. It is very big problem for disposal of this by products. It can only be

disposed deep inside ground or in a sea away from sea share.

8. Enrichment technology is essential for fuel processing & fabrication.

9. Maintenance cost is very high.

10. Waste disposal is problematic.

11. For variable load it is not suitable.

12. Construction is complicated.

Actual Process done in Nuclear Power Plant:

Mr.N.S.Patil 39
SGP-Atigre Electrical Engg. Dept.

8. Important Words & its Meaning:

1. Nuclear Power Plant: 20. Uranium:

2. Atomic Physics: 21. Nuclear energy :
3. Fission: 22. Atom:
4. Chain Reaction: 23. Atomic number:
5. Radioactive:
24. Mass number:
6. Binding Energy:
25. Structure of atom:
7. Mass Defect:
8. Multiplication Factor: 26. Nucleus:

9. Fuels: 27. Proton:

10. Control Rod:

11. Heat Exchanger: 28. Neutron:

12. Condenser:
13. Feed Water Heater: 29. Electron:
30. Isotopes:

14. Reflector: 31. Radiation:

15. Reflector vessel: 32. bombardment device:

16. Reactor: 33. pressure:
17. Waste Management: 34. alternator:
35. collision:
18. Fuel cost : 36. Capital cost :
19. Vanish: 37. Maintenance:

Mr.N.S.Patil 40