Handbook of Nuclear Power

The use of nuclear energy released during nuclear reactions for the generations of electricity is termed as nuclear power. The heat released during nuclear reactions is used to operate steam turbines in a nuclear power plant. Nuclear reactions can be classified into nuclear fusion, nuclear decay and nuclear fission. Uranium and plutonium are the primarily used fuels in nuclear facilities. Nuclear fission of uranium is the most commonly employed technique for generation of heat in nuclear power plants. They are very much similar to a coal fired power plant except for the boiler which is replaced by a reactor. Nuclear power has one of the lowest fatality rates per unit of energy generated and causes significant reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases. This book is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts in the field of nuclear power. Most of the topics introduced herein cover new techniques and the applications of nuclear power. As this field is emerging at a rapid pace, the contents of this book will help the readers understand the modern concepts and applications of the subject.