Is nuclear energy renewable or non-renewable source? Part-1

Exactly, Nuclear energy is a non-renewable form of energy. Wondering, how? Read till the end to gather up ideas. 

Nuclear energy is the energy held in the nucleus of an atom; it can be obtained through two types of reactions – fission and fusion. Nuclear fission produces energy through the splitting of atoms, which releases heat energy that can generate steam and then be used to turn a turbine to produce electricity. All of today’s nuclear plants use fission to generate electricity. The fuel most commonly used for fission is uranium, although additional elements such as plutonium or thorium can be used.

Agriculture

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that about 795 million people (one in nine) were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2014-16. Radioisotopes and radiation used in food and agriculture are helping to reduce these figures.

Agriculture needs to be sustainable over the longer term. The FAO works with the IAEA on programs to improve food sustainability assisted by nuclear and related biotechnologies. (1)

Plant mutation breeding

The use of radiation essentially enhances the natural process of spontaneous genetic mutation, significantly shortening the time it takes. Countries that have utilised plant mutation breeding have frequently realised great socio-economic benefits. During a period of rapid population growth, the use of nuclear techniques has enabled to achieve food security and improved nutrition. (2)

Fertilisers

Fertilisers are expensive and if not properly used can damage the environment. It is important that as much used fertilizer as possible is “fixed” in the plant matter and that a minimum is lost to the environment. ‘Labelling’ fertilizers with a particular isotope (e.g. nitrogen-15) provides a means of ascertaining how much has been taken up by the plants, allowing for better management of fertilizer use. (3)

Insect control

Radiation is used to control insect populations via the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). SIT involves rearing large populations of insects that are sterilised through irradiation (gamma or X-rays) and introducing them into natural populations. The sterile insects remain sexually competitive, but cannot produce offspring. The SIT technique is environmentally-friendly and has proved an effective means of pest management even where the mass application of pesticides had failed. SIT has successfully controlled the populations of a number of high profile insects, including mosquitoes, moths, screwworm, tsetse fly, and various fruit flies like a Mediterranean fruit fly, Mexican fruit fly, oriental fruit fly, and melon fly. (4)

Consumer products

The function of many common consumer products is dependent on the use of small amounts of radioactive material. Smoke detectors, watches & clocks, and non-stick materials, among others, all utilise the natural properties of radioisotopes in their design. (5)

One of the most common uses of radioisotopes today is in household smoke detectors. These contain a small amount of americium-241 which is a decay product of plutonium-241 originating in nuclear reactors. The Am-241 emits alpha particles which ionise the air and allow a current between two electrodes. If smoke enters the detector it absorbs the alpha particles and interrupts the current, setting off the alarm. (6)

Food irradiation

Food irradiation is the process of exposing foodstuffs to gamma rays to kill bacteria that can cause food-borne disease and to increase shelf life. In addition to inhibiting spoilage, irradiation can delay ripening of fruits and vegetables to give them greater shelf life. (7)

Industrial tracers

Radioisotopes are used by manufacturers as tracers to monitor fluid flow and filtration, detect leaks and gauge engine wear and corrosion of process equipment. Small concentrations of short-lived isotopes can be detected whilst no residues remain in the environment. (8) 

Inspection and instrumentation

Radioactive materials are used to inspect metal parts and the integrity of welds across a range of industries. For example, new oil and gas pipeline systems are checked by placing the radioactive source inside the pipe and the film outside the welds.

The ability to use radioisotopes to accurately measure thickness is widely utilised in the production of sheet materials, including metal, textiles, paper, plastics, and others. (9) 

Carbon dating

Analysing the relative abundance of particular naturally-occurring radioisotopes is of vital importance in determining the age of rocks and other materials that are of interest to geologists, anthropologists, hydrologists, and archaeologists, among others. (10)

To Know the detailed information, Read Nuclear Energy Part – 2