Nuclear Reactors, their Types and Impact on Safety, Environment and Sustainability towards a Green Future

Ayush Kumar A,N Kalaiselvan,Godwin Glivin,V Mariappan

doi:10.3844/erjsp.2020.22.27

Ayush Kumar A, N Kalaiselvan + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3844/erjsp.2020.22.27

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Abstract

The current world is shifting rapidly towards clean energy sources due to the rapid depletion of fossil fuels. Also, as a solution to the extremely intense growing demand of energy across most of the countries and increasing pollution, nuclear energy is considered as a strategic alternative as it is both clean and does not pollute the environment. When compared with most other conventional sources of energy production currently being used, Nuclear energy emits a minuscule quantity of greenhouse gases and hence is environmentally friendly. In this study, several types of nuclear reactors are compared and with environmental pollution and safety as a deciding parameter. Sustainability of the nuclear reactors, their classification concerning safety and their radiation emissions are also reviewed.

Highlights

The population of the world today is 1900 times the global population 12 thousand years ago
To solve the energy demands of the highly increasing population, we need to switch over to cleaner methodologies of energy production which give a large amount of energy for an invested capital amount and should not pollute the environment
SMRs are considered better than Light Water Reactors (LWRs) because of their proposed improved safety characteristics as compared to the conventional LWRs, affordable and economical nature due to their small size, and they have become a better match to the developing economies and are attracting a lot of research and development

Summary

Introduction

The population of the world today is 1900 times the global population 12 thousand years ago. Nuclear power is used to generate electricity and other forms of energy in several countries of the world. These were the reactors which were shifted from military purposes like war to directly produce energy for civilian purposes without any significant changes and precautions for safety.

Results

Conclusion