Nuclear Power Production, Radiation, and

Radiation Protection
How do Nuclear Plants Work?

 Water is turned to steam, which in turn drives turbine generators to produce electricity.
 The heat to make the steam is created when uranium atoms split- called fission.
 There is no combustion in a nuclear reactor
How do we get energy from an atom?

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How do Nuclear Plants Work?
Reactor Core

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Containment Structures (Reactor Buildings)
Catawba Nuclear Station (Unit 1 to left, Unit 2 to right)
Steam Generators
Turbine Generator and Turbine Blades
Nuclear Fuel Assemblies

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Used Fuel Storage Pool

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Radiation

 Radiation is energy traveling as waves or particles given off by unstable atoms as they become
balanced. You cannot see radiation, but we are surrounded by it every day.

 Radiation is measured in millirem (mrem). On average, we receive 620 mrem per year of
radiation. The Federal Drug Administration estimates 50% of radiation we receive comes from
natural sources.

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Hazards of Radiation to Humans

 Radiation may have one of three biological effects, with distinct outcomes for
living cells:
1. Injured or damaged cells repair themselves, resulting in no residual damage
2. Cells die, much like millions of body cells do every day, being replaced through
normal biological processes
3. Cells incorrectly repair themselves, resulting in a biophysical change.

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Hazards of Radiation to Humans

 The exact effect depends on the specific type and intensity of the radiation exposure
 In general, however, a 3-millirem exposure imposes the same chance of death — 1 in a million —
as each of the following common life experiences:

– Spending 2 days in New York City (because of the air quality)

– Riding 1 mile on a motorcycle or 300 miles in a car (because of the risk

of collision)

– Eating 40 tablespoons of peanut butter (because of aflotoxin)

or 10 charbroiled steaks

– Smoking 1 cigarette
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Sources of Natural (Background) Radiation

 Earth’s crust: Granite, concrete, and many other rocks and minerals contain small
amounts of radioactivity from elements such as uranium.
 Sun’s rays: As the gases in the sun fuse together, energy is released in the form of
gamma rays. These waves can travel all the way to Earth and penetrate our
atmosphere.
 Radon gas: Radon gas is produced by the decay of uranium that is contained in
igneous rock and soil. Radon emits alpha particles.
 Some foods are radioactive. Bananas are a good source of potassium, but contain
small amounts of the radioactive isotope potassium-40. Brazil nuts are one of the most
radioactive foods, emitting alpha and beta particles from the decay of radium-226 and
radium 228.

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Radioactivity

 Radioactive decay
 Process by which an atomic nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting ionizing particles
 A material that undergoes radioactive decay is said to be radioactive
 A material exposed to a radiation field is said to be irradiated
Ionization

 Physical process of converting an atom or molecule into an ion by adding or removing charged
particles such as electrons or other ions
 A positively charged ion is produced when an electron bonded to an atom absorbs enough energy to
escape from the electric potential barrier
 This breaks the bond holding the electron and frees it to move
 The amount of energy required is called the ionization energy
 A negatively charged ion is produced when a free electron collides with an atom and is subsequently
caught inside the electric potential barrier, releasing any excess energy

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Ionizing Radiation

 Particles or electromagnetic waves that are energetic enough to detach electrons from atoms or
molecules, therefore ionizing them

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Alpha Radiation

 Produced from the natural radioactive decay of uranium

 Can only travel one inch in the air and .001 inch in human tissue
 Two protons + two neutrons
 A hazard only if ingested
Beta Radiation

 Can travel up to 15 feet in the air and half an inch in human tissue
 High energy, high speed electron or positron
 Can be stopped with a thin piece of metal
Gamma Radiation

 Travel at the speed of light

 Can travel great distances in the air and penetrate tissue
 Electromagnetic form of radiation – pure energy
 Can be stopped by a thick layer of concrete,
lead, or steel
 Originate from the atomic nucleus
X-Ray Radiation

 Same as gamma radiation:

 Travel at the speed of light
 Can travel great distances in the air and penetrate
tissue
 Electromagnetic form of radiation – pure energy
 Can be stopped by a thick layer of concrete,
lead, or steel

EXCEPT

 Emitted by electrons outside the nucleus

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Exposure vs. Contamination

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ALARA

As
Low
As
Reasonably
Achievable
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NRC Definition of ALARA

 Making every reasonable effort to maintain exposures to ionizing radiation as far below the dose
limits as practical,
 consistent with the purpose for which the licensed activity is undertaken,
 taking into account the state of technology,
 the economics of improvements in relation to state of technology,
 the economics of improvements in relation to benefits to the public health and safety, and other societal
and socioeconomic considerations,
 and in relation to utilization of nuclear energy and licensed materials in the public interest

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Radiation Hazard Symbol

 Tri-foil symbol is the international symbol for radiation

 Can be magenta or black on a yellow background
 Posted where radioactive materials are handled or where radiation-producing equipment is used
 Used as a warning to protect people from being exposed to radioactivity

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