The information on this page was prepared by:
| Thomas Traylor | ttraylor@usc.edu | Industrial and Systems Engineering |
Analysis
Boiling water reactors and pressurized water reactors differ in some main key ways. Although both have a temperature of anywhere from 530-590F, there is no boiling allowed in the pressurized water reactors with the exception of minor bubbles called “nucleate boiling” (nucleartourist). Also BWRs have an electrical output of anywhere from 570-1300 Mw where PWRS have a greater output due to the increased pressure. Both units share a completely inefficient output of 33% efficiency. This is one of the many reasons why many people are looking into alternative sources of energy with increased efficiency.
Both BWRs and PWRs share a common means of conversion. Both types of reactors produce steam in one way or another. This steam is produced by heating or pressurizing and heating water in certain pipes. It then is used to spin a turbine. This turbine is attached to a generator and the generator is responsible for the electrical output.
Both BWRs and PWRs share a common uranium from which they start also. This uranium is mined from the ground and converted and enriched. It is then converted to pellets. These pellets are what is placed in the control rods. After the differing types of temperature regulation occurs, the uranium reaction is “sparked” with neutrons added to the mix and nuclear fission begins as Uranium atoms gain neutrons. They then become unstable and break off into other atoms. This breaking apart causes a great deal of heat and this heat turns the water to steam.
Unfortunately, both of these processes produce a large amount of radioactive waste. Many find it to be complete incompetency to use this type of energy without fully understanding its effects. As we accumulate dangerous levels of waste, we are endangering ourselves without a plan of action. Just a few decades ago, it was believed that in case of a Russian nuclear attack, if you hid under your desk, you were going to be okay. As we know now, there is no way to avoid the nuclear winter that would rain down upon us.
Many people feel that we must look to other forms of energy to keep this planet in good shape. As George Olah presents in his article, “we must leave this planet for future generations in as good or better shape than it is now, and provide our successors with a decent standard of living. We must do it in a way that provides them with a clean and healthy environment,” (Olah 1). Leaving this planet with piles upon piles of nuclear waste is not how to do it. Fuel cells to natural gas and solar power have all been explored as means to use new sources of power. However, all of these have not combined to any great alternative to nuclear power.