Name: Joson, Nicole Katrin DG. (Site 1) ; Merino, Joshua Clarence S. (Site 2);
Robles, Ramielle Angeline B. (Site 3)
Date: 23Jan19 Class: CIV305_
Nuclear Power Plant Virtual Field Trip Handout
Site 1: Let’s Learn the Basics at https://www.learnwithrichie.com/ks3/about-nuclear-energy
1. List the steps of creating electricity using a steam turbine.
A steam turbine functions by heating water until it boils. The steam created is then used
to turn the blades of the turbines. This action powers the generator to make electricity. The
electricity will then go through the transformers to produce the correct voltage before being
distributed to the homes.
2. Read the “What is nuclear fission?” section. What is a chain reaction?
Nuclear fission is a spontaneous reaction that is being triggered consciously to make a
nuclear reaction. The splitting of the atoms creates heat and also triggers a chain reaction. The
heat can be converted into usable energy, electricity. Chain reactions can then be seen as the
atoms continuously splits into smaller fragments. It is crucial as the splitting part creates the
heat that we convert after further procedures.
3. Why is uranium good in making electricity?
Uranium is good in making electricity as it doesn't produce CO2 which could be harmful
for the environment. It is also good because of the convenience it provides for being able to
produce electricity right when needed.
4. Describe how to make electricity from uranium.
First the uranium would need to be Mined. It would undergo Conversion and
Enrichment before undergoing Fuel Fabrication. Afterwards, the pellets created through fuel
fabrication would then head towards the Nuclear Power Plants creating energy that goes
through Power Distribution that turns them into Electricity.
5. List the steps of uranium enrichment.
The uranium is enriched after the Urenco feeds the UF6 gas into a centrifuge. It would
then go into a centrifuge for its isotopes to be separated, it would undergo centrifuge after
centrifuge to ensure purity and enrichment of Uranium. After that process, the gas now has the
right balance of isotopes to make the best fuel possible. Last procedure of the enrichment
would be that the balanced gas will go into a large cylinder, cooled, and made into a solid
material.
Nuclear Energy through a Virtual Field Trip Lesson—Virtual Field Trip Handout
1
Name: Joson, Nicole Katrin DG. (Site 1) ; Merino, Joshua Clarence S. (Site 2);
Robles, Ramielle Angeline B. (Site 3)
Date: 23Jan19 Class: CIV305_
Site 2: Let’s Tour a Plant at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9irnL0Y25bY (Vermont Yankee Nuclear
Power Plant)
6. What kind of security exists in nuclear power plants?
According to the guard interviewed, tighter security was also implemented ever since the
911 incident happened. No photographs are permitted of security measures like fences, cameras,
and screening equipment. All visitors and their bags go through a screening process (like at
airports); then they put on visitor badges, have their palms scanned, and enter via a subway-like
turnstile.
7. What is a scheduled outage period?
Vermont Yankee nuclear power station from service Saturday night (October 8 to begin it’s 29th
refueling and maintenance outage. The shutdown of the vernon plant will mark the completion
of the plants 29th operating cycle.
8. Define: spent fuel pool
The spent fuel from a plant's entire operating lifetime is stored in spent fuel pools.
Because spent fuel rods are still very radioactive, they are kept cold by being placed in water for
safety reasons. The large concrete pools, which are several feet thick and around 40 feet deep
(the height of a four-story structure), contain the canister-shaped spent fuel bundles.
9. What strikes you?
There is a redundant safety system and a fail-safe system when the nuclear power plant
undergoes a horrific event, which is good.
10. How long will the materials in dry storage be radioactive?
The radioactivity of the nuclear materials will last for more than 100,000 years. This
radioactive waste is kept outdoors in dry casks, which are above-ground, concrete and steel
containers with a 100-year lifespan.
11. How many gallons of water does the plant use every minute?
The power plant used 365,000 gallons of water per minute as its cooling system.
12. What else did you learn that you found interesting?
Nuclear Energy through a Virtual Field Trip Lesson—Virtual Field Trip Handout
2
Name: Joson, Nicole Katrin DG. (Site 1) ; Merino, Joshua Clarence S. (Site 2);
Robles, Ramielle Angeline B. (Site 3)
Date: 23Jan19 Class: CIV305_
The reactor building is quite loud and very hot (above 100 degrees). Because they need
so much water for the cooling process, the majority of power plants are situated close to rivers.
The cooling towers are also often hyperboloid shaped.
Site 3: Let’s Identify Some Major Concepts at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_plant and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power
13. Define: containment
Containment is crucial as it serves as a protective shield that serves just like its name,
through containing radiation; however, it is only designed to contain or condense steam in the
short term, and long-term heat removal must still be provided by other systems. It is the dome
of concrete that absorbs radiation and prevents the radioactivity material from being released
into the environment, thus, its maintenance is crucial for safety.
14. Identify some debate issues surrounding nuclear power: pros and cons.
Nuclear power is being debated. Nuclear power supporters argue that it is a safe,
sustainable energy source that reduces carbon emissions. The anti-nuclear movement claims
that nuclear power poses numerous risks to people and the environment, and that it is too
expensive and time-consuming to deploy in comparison to alternative sustainable energy
sources
15. Describe something you found interesting about the history or future of nuclear power:
On December 21, 1951, heat from a nuclear reactor was used to generate electricity for
the first time, feeding four light bulbs at the Experimental Breeder Reactor I.
The world's first nuclear power station to generate electricity for a power grid, the
Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, began operations on June 27, 1954, in Obninsk, Soviet Union.
The world's first full scale power station, Calder Hall in the United Kingdom, opened on
October 17, 1956. This power station is devoted to electricity production—Calder Hall was also
meant to produce plutonium.
Nuclear Energy through a Virtual Field Trip Lesson—Virtual Field Trip Handout
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