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A Guidebook to Nuclear Reactors
Provides a detailed introduction to nuclear reactors, describing the four commercial types and discussing uranium resources, fuel cycles, advanced reactor systems, and issues and problems concerning the use of nuclear power
- GenresScienceNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
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December 18, 2016
Book 2 of Nuclear Studies:
This book is old, published right before TMI happened. This is not the book to read if you want information on nuclear accidents. However, if you're looking for an in-depth explanation of the basic reactor types, then your search is over.
Beginning with a clear explanation of how nuclear reactions work, radiation risks, and the future of nuclear energy, the book devotes the middle chapters to the different reactor types like LWRs, BWRs, and the CANDU. The explanations are aided by diagrams of the reactors and fuel rods. Following this, the author discusses the reactor types that are in development like the molten salt reactor and fast-breeder reactors.
The book really shows its age in the degree of optimism with which discussions of nuclear energy growth around the world are discussed. An entire chapter is dedicated to nuclear fuel and how at the current rate of growth of nuclear power, around the year 2000, we will have to change how we gather fuel. There was a small discussion about the likelihood of a large scale meltdown as well. I found this all to be fascinating because it really documented the excitement surrounding nuclear power before the public became paranoid about the risks of it.
I thought it was a well-written, accessible, and informative read in my quest to find the best books on nuclear science. Definitely a worthy reference.
This book is old, published right before TMI happened. This is not the book to read if you want information on nuclear accidents. However, if you're looking for an in-depth explanation of the basic reactor types, then your search is over.
Beginning with a clear explanation of how nuclear reactions work, radiation risks, and the future of nuclear energy, the book devotes the middle chapters to the different reactor types like LWRs, BWRs, and the CANDU. The explanations are aided by diagrams of the reactors and fuel rods. Following this, the author discusses the reactor types that are in development like the molten salt reactor and fast-breeder reactors.
The book really shows its age in the degree of optimism with which discussions of nuclear energy growth around the world are discussed. An entire chapter is dedicated to nuclear fuel and how at the current rate of growth of nuclear power, around the year 2000, we will have to change how we gather fuel. There was a small discussion about the likelihood of a large scale meltdown as well. I found this all to be fascinating because it really documented the excitement surrounding nuclear power before the public became paranoid about the risks of it.
I thought it was a well-written, accessible, and informative read in my quest to find the best books on nuclear science. Definitely a worthy reference.
Displaying 1 of 1 review