Abstract
This paper statistically quantifies the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from six distinct reactor-based (boiling water reactor (BWR), pressurized water reactor (PWR), light water reactor (LWR), heavy-water-moderated reactor (HWR), gas-cooled reactor (GCR), fast breeder reactor (FBR)) nuclear power generation systems by following a two-step approach that included (a) performing a review of the lifecycle assessment (LCA) studies on the reactor-based nuclear power generation systems; and (b) statistically evaluating the lifecycle GHG emissions (expressed in grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt hour, gCO2e/kWh) for each of the reactor-based nuclear power generation systems to assess the role of different types of nuclear reactors in the reduction of the lifecycle GHG emissions. Additionally, this study quantified the impacts of fuel enrichment methods (centrifuge, gaseous diffusion) on GHG emissions. The mean lifecycle GHG emissions resulting from the use of BWR (sample size, N = 15), PWR (N = 21), LWR (N = 7), HWR (N = 3), GCR (N = 1), and FBR (N = 2) in nuclear power generation systems are 14.52 gCO2e/kWh, 11.87 gCO2e/kWh, 20.5 gCO2e/kWh, 28.2 gCO2e/kWh, 8.35 gCO2e/kWh, and 6.26 gCO2e/kWh, respectively. The FBR nuclear power generation systems produced the minimum lifecycle GHGs. The centrifuge enrichment method produced lower GHG emissions than the gaseous diffusion enrichment method.
Highlights
Nuclear energy may be defined as the energy harnessed from controlled reactions within the nuclei of atoms that release energy
The use of nuclear power generation systems across the world is being encouraged in view of the advantages that nuclear energy serves as an alternative to the rapidly depleting fossil fuels, accounts for the intermittency and the unpredictability issues associated with the renewable energy sources by continually generating power, and helps improve air quality considering that they produce no greenhouse gas (GHG) or emissions that causes the formation of acid rain or urban smog [30]
These results indicate that lower GHGs are emitted from the Fast breeder reactor (FBR) nuclear power generation systems in comparison to the widely adopted light water reactors (LWRs) (PWR/Boiling water reactor (BWR))
Summary
Nuclear energy may be defined as the energy harnessed from controlled reactions within the nuclei of atoms that release energy. Nuclear energy has been projected to account for 5.5 trillion kWh (14%) of the world’s total electricity generation in 2040, with an annual increase of 2.5% These statistics indicate that nuclear energy has a vital role to play in meeting the world’s energy demand. The use of nuclear power generation systems across the world is being encouraged in view of the advantages that nuclear energy serves as an alternative to the rapidly depleting fossil fuels, accounts for the intermittency and the unpredictability issues associated with the renewable energy sources by continually generating power (approximately 90% of the annual time), and helps improve air quality considering that they produce no GHGs or emissions that causes the formation of acid rain or urban smog [30]. None of the earlier studies quantified the lifecycle GHG emissions and compared them across all the currently available distinct nuclear reactor-based and fuel enrichment method-based power generation systems. Performing the LCA for nuclear power generation systems would provide details that may be incorporated into making a comparison with the GHGs emitted from other power generation technologies
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
