Question

QUESTION 1 a) (15 p) We consider a nuclear reactor of power output P=1000 Megawatt (1000 million watts) electric, functioning with Plutonium. It is fueled, initially, with 1000 kg of Plutonium. The nuclear material in question is made of Plutonium nuclei, each consisting in 94 protons and 239-94=145 neutrons, which is 239 denominated by the symbol rd 194 Pu For thermodynamical reasons, only 1/3 of the nuclear energy in the form of heat produced by the reactor, can be converted into electricity. How much mass deficit Am should the nuclear fuel of concern delineates, if the reactor is operated through a period of At=2 years. You are supposed to use Einstein's relationship 48=Am (where is the velocity of light in vacuum, i.e. about 300 000 km/s). Note further that the reactor power, by definition, is given by AE/AL. Make sure that you use coherent units b) (10 p) How much mass deficit between the reactants (C+0,) and the reaction products (CO), all weighed at rest, would delineate a coal (C) thermal plant of the same capacity, working under the same thermodynamical regime, through the same period of 2 years of operation, but which needs to burn about 3 millions coal per year? Attach File Browse My Computer Browse Content Collection

Answer 1

*Answers From the Given data : = 1000 mW - Power output of nuclear power plant P= 1x10°W Total heat output = 3810°W Total energy produced by nuclear is converted to heat energy So, P = 4mX C² ECE PIO mis q *Am= p c² 3X10 Am= 33108 18 kgls Am = 3.333 X10 → Total deficiency of mass em -8 X 36005 x gu hrs x 365 days me 3.333 X 10 m= 108x3.333 X 31,536,000 105, 109,488 x168 ma 1.0512kg (3x108) 1.0512 X - → Energy produced in a year 16 E = 9.4608 x 10°J

239 1kg of of Pu produces 83.61 x 10% when reached. * Total mass of plutonium reacted · 1131.539kg for a coal plant of same capacity (power output), Mass of coal needed power output of coal is Energy released cohen 1kg burnt 3x109 SO M= (24X106) M = 125 kgls * Total mass of coal burnt in syear = 125 X 3600 X24X365 = 3,888.000 ton x109 kg 3.888 XIO 109 kg - 3-888X10 is Total mass of coal burnt