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Calculating Energy from U235 Fission

(i) The document provides examples calculating fission rates of U235 and energy released from fissioning 1 kg of U235. It is assumed 200 MeV is released per fission. (ii) Example 7.4 calculates the number of U235 atoms that undergo fission per second and amount of U235 used to develop 6 MW of power over 1000 hours, assuming 200 MeV per fission. (iii) Example 7.3 calculates the amount of U235 consumed to power a 1200 kW railway engine for 10 hours using a 20% efficient atomic power plant that releases 180 MeV per fissioned U235 atom.

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288 views9 pages

Calculating Energy from U235 Fission

(i) The document provides examples calculating fission rates of U235 and energy released from fissioning 1 kg of U235. It is assumed 200 MeV is released per fission. (ii) Example 7.4 calculates the number of U235 atoms that undergo fission per second and amount of U235 used to develop 6 MW of power over 1000 hours, assuming 200 MeV per fission. (iii) Example 7.3 calculates the amount of U235 consumed to power a 1200 kW railway engine for 10 hours using a 20% efficient atomic power plant that releases 180 MeV per fissioned U235 atom.

Uploaded by

Azhar Ali
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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  • Example 7.1
  • Example 7.2
  • Example 7.4
  • Example 7.3
  • Example 7.5
  • Example 7.6
  • Example 7.8
  • Example 7.9

Example. 7.

Calculate the following:

(i) The fission rate of U235 for producing a power of one watt
(ii) Energy released in complete fission of 1 kg of U235
Assume that 200 MeV energy release per fission of uranium nucleus.

Solution:

Energy release per fission of U235 nuclide = 200 MeV = 200 * 1.6 *10^-13 J

3.2*10^-11J
1
Hence, fission rate for producing 1W = = 3.1 *10^10 fission/sec (Ans)
3.2∗10^−11

(ii) 235 kg of U235 contain 6.02 *10^26 atoms


𝟔.𝟎𝟐∗𝟏𝟎^𝟐𝟔
So, energy released by 1 kg of U235 is = ∗ 𝟐𝟎𝟎 MeV= 8.2 * 10^13 J (Ans)
𝟐𝟑𝟓
Example. 7.2
Example 7.4

A power of 6 MW is being developed in a nuclear reactor.

(i). How many atoms of U235 undergoes fission per second?

(ii). How many Kg of U235 would be used in 1000 hour?

Assume that on an average 200 MeV is released per fission

Solution:

Power developed in nuclear reactor = 6 MW = 6 *10^6 W

Average energy release per fission = 200 MeV

(i) Number of atoms which undergoes fission:

The fission rate for producing 1 W= 3.1 * 10^10 fission/sec (Refer example # 1)

For 6MW = 6 *10^6 * 3.1 * 10^10 = 18.6 * 10^16 (Ans)

(ii) Mass of U235 consumed:

The number of atoms which undergoes fission in 1000 hours are

(18.6 * 10^16) * (1000*3600) = 6.696*10^23

Now, 235 Kg of U235 contain 6.02* 10^26 nuclides

𝟔.𝟔𝟗𝟔∗𝟏𝟎𝟐𝟑 ∗𝟐𝟑𝟓
Mass of U235 consumed: = =0.2614 kg (Ans)
𝟔.𝟎𝟐∗ 𝟏𝟎^𝟐𝟔
Example 7.3

During a 10-hour run from one station to another, a railway engine develops
an average power of 1200 kW. If the engine is driven by an atomic power
plant of 20% efficiency, how much U235 would be consumed on a single run.?
Each U235 atom on fission release 180 MeV of energy.
Solution:

Duration of run between two station = 10 Hour

Average power developed by railway engine= 1200 kW

Efficiency of Atomic power plant= 20 %

Energy released by each atom of U235 = 180MeV

Mass of U235 consumed.?

Energy consumed by engine for single run= 1200 * 10= 12000 kWh (1 kWh= 36*10^5 J)

So, Energy consumed=

12000 * 36*10^5 = 432*10^8 J

Since efficiency of power plant is only 20%, so energy required to produce it will be:

𝟒𝟑𝟐∗𝟏𝟎^𝟖 𝐉 𝟒𝟑𝟐∗𝟏𝟎^𝟖 𝐉
= = 216 *10^9 J
𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝟎.𝟐
Energy produced per disintegration of U235 = 180 MeV= 180 * 1.602 * 10^-13 J

So, the number of atoms U235 which must disintegrate for producing 216 *10^9 J is

216 ∗10^9
= 7.5 * 10^21
180 ∗ 1.602 ∗ 10^−13

There are 6.02* 10^26 atoms are contained in 235 Kg of U235

Hence, mass which contain 7.5 * 10^21 is =

235∗ 7.5 ∗ 10^21


= 2.928gm
6.02∗ 10^26

Ans
Energy release per fission is:
-

Example. 7.1 Calculate the following: (i) The fission rate of U235 for producing a power of one watt (ii) Energy rele
Example. 7.2
Example 7.4 A power of 6 MW is being developed in a nuclear reactor. (i). How many atoms of U235 undergoes fission per se
Example 7.3 During a 10-hour run from one station to another, a railway engine develops an average power of 1200 kW. If the
Energy release per fission is:
-

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