widespread use of nuclear energy began thanks to scientific and technological progress not only in the military field, but also for peaceful purposes.Today you can not do without it in the industry, energy and medicine.
However, the use of nuclear energy has both advantages and disadvantages.First of all, it is a danger of radiation, both for humans and for the environment.
The use of nuclear energy is developing in two directions: the use of energy and the use of radioactive isotopes.
Initially, atomic energy to be used only for military purposes, and all the development going in this direction.
use of nuclear energy for military
large number of high-level materials used for the production of nuclear weapons.According to experts, nuclear warheads contain several tons of plutonium.
Nuclear weapons are considered to be weapons of mass destruction, because it produces the destruction of the vast territories.
As the range and power of the charge of nuclear weapons is divided into:
- tactics.
- Operative-tactical.
- strategic.
nuclear weapon is divided into atomic and hydrogen.The basis of nuclear weapons put uncontrollable chain reactions of fission of heavy nuclei and nuclear fusion.To use a chain reaction of uranium or plutonium.
Keeping such a large number of hazardous materials - this is a great threat to mankind.And the use of nuclear energy for military purposes, could lead to serious consequences.
first nuclear weapons were used in 1945 for the attacks on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.The consequences of this attack have been catastrophic.As you know, it was the first and last use of nuclear energy in the war.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
IAEA created in 1957 to promote cooperation between countries in the field of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.From the beginning, the agency has a program "Nuclear safety and environmental protection."
But the main feature - is to control the activities of the countries in the nuclear field.The organization shall ensure that the development and use of nuclear energy is for peaceful purposes only.
objective of this program - to ensure the safe use of nuclear energy, the protection of human and environmental impacts of radiation.The agency has also engaged in the study of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident.
agency also supports research, development and application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and acts as an intermediary in the exchange of services and materials among the members of the agency.
Together with the United Nations IAEA defines and sets standards in the field of safety and health.
Nuclear Power
In the second half of the forties of the twentieth century, Soviet scientists began to develop the first drafts of the peaceful uses of the atom.The main focus of these developments was the electricity.
And in 1954, the Soviet Union built the world's first nuclear power plant.After this program the rapid growth of nuclear energy began to develop in the United States, Britain, Germany and France.But most of them have not been met.As it turned out, the NPP was not able to compete with stations that run on coal, gas and fuel oil.
But after the global energy crisis and price hike of oil demand for nuclear power has grown.In the 70s of the last century, experts believed that the power of all the nuclear power plants will be able to replace half.
In the mid-80s the growth of nuclear power has slowed again, shit started to review the plans for the construction of new nuclear power plants.It was promoted as a policy of energy saving and reduction of oil prices and the disaster at the Chernobyl plant, which had negative consequences not only for Ukraine.
After all, some countries have stopped the construction and operation of nuclear power plants.
Nuclear energy for space missions
fly into space more than three dozen nuclear reactors, they are used for energy.
first nuclear reactor used in space, the Americans in 1965.The fuel used uranium-235.He worked for 43 days.
reactor in the Soviet Union "Daisy" was launched at the Institute of Atomic Energy.Its supposed to be used on spacecraft with plasma engines.But after all the tests he has not been launched into space.
next nuclear plant "Buk" was used in the satellite radar reconnaissance.The first unit was launched in 1970 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
Today "Roskosmos" and "Rosatom" offer to design a spacecraft that will be equipped with a nuclear rocket engine and will be able to get to the Moon and Mars.But while it's all in the proposal stage.
The use of nuclear energy industry
Nuclear energy is used to increase the sensitivity of the chemical analysis and the production of ammonia, hydrogen and other chemicals used for the production of fertilizers.
Nuclear energy, the use of which in the chemical industry produces new chemical elements, helps to recreate the processes that occur in the crust.
for desalination of salt water is also used nuclear energy.The use in the steel industry makes it possible to recover iron from iron ore.The color - used to produce aluminum.
use of nuclear energy in agriculture
The use of nuclear energy in agriculture solves the problems of selection and helps in the fight against pests.
nuclear energy is used for the occurrence of mutations in seeds.This is done to obtain new varieties that bring more yield and disease-resistant crops.Thus, more than half of wheat grown in Italy, for the manufacture of pasta was derived by mutation.
also using radioisotopes determine the best ways of fertilization.For example, with the help of their determined that rice cultivation can be reduced nitrogen fertilization.This not only save money, but also to preserve the environment.
bit strange use of nuclear energy - is the exposure of insect larvae.This is done in order to bring them environmentally friendly.In this case, the insects emerge from the irradiated larvae, have no offspring, but otherwise quite normal.
Nuclear Medicine
medicine uses radioactive isotopes for accurate diagnosis.Medical isotopes have a short half-life and does not present any particular risk for others, and for the patient.
Another use of nuclear energy in medicine has been opened recently.This positron emission tomography.It can be used to detect cancer in its early stages.
The use of nuclear energy in transport
In the early 50-ies of the last century there have been attempts to create a nuclear-powered tank.Development began in the United States, but the project was never implemented.Mainly due to the fact that in these tanks could not solve the problem of shielding the crew.
Famous Ford has worked hard on the car, which would work on nuclear energy.But then the production of the layout of such machines are not logged in.
The fact is that nuclear installation takes a lot of space, and the car gets very dimensional.Compact reactors have not appeared so ambitious project turned.
Probably the most famous transport that works on nuclear energy - a different court, both military and civil purposes:
- icebreakers.
- Transportation vessels.
- Carriers.
- Submarines.
- Cruisers.
- nuclear submarine.
Pros and cons of nuclear energy
Today, the share of nuclear energy in the global energy production is about 17 percent.Although humanity uses fossil fuels, but its reserves are not infinite.
Therefore, as an alternative, used nuclear fuel.But the process for its preparation and use is associated with a greater risk to human life and the environment.
Of course, constantly improving nuclear reactors, to take all possible security measures, but sometimes this is not enough.An example is the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and Fukushima.
On the one hand, the working reactor is not released into the environment no radiation, while the thermal power of the atmosphere gets a large amount of harmful substances.
The greatest danger is the spent fuel, its processing and storage.Because today is not entirely invented by safe disposal of nuclear waste.
