The handling of many tons of fuel as opposed to a few truckloads of uranium, the production of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, the disposal of many tons of ash, the mining of the coal which can be dangerous and has caused many accidents, and possibly the cost of the fuel relative to uranium though that depends on how easily the coal can be obtained.
1. Limited fuel 2. Expensive fuel 3. Very polluting-contributes to global climate change and acid rain
Nuclear power is used to produce electricity, which can power any machine which uses electric motorsImproved:Most nuclear power plants use a Rankine cycle (like traditional coal fired plants use). They generate heat, heat water, and make steam which in power plants goes to power turbine generators and then generate electricity. However, any steam powered system can be used instead of the turbine generator. There are nuclear powered ships which use the steam to turn the propeller to move. So yes, nuclear power can power machines, and they are not limited to machines powered by electric motors.High temperature reactors of new designs could be used to directly produce hydrogen from water for a hydrogen economy(this would be the cheapest way to make hydrogen for hydrogen powered cars). Waste heat after the hydrogen is produced could still be used to make steam to generate electricity as in current reactors.
Nuclear plants are normally run on base load, that is at a constant output, because they run with lower fuel costs than fossil fired stations. Where there is a high proportion of nuclear plant, as in France at 75 percent, some of the nuclear plants will have to load follow, that is respond to changes in national load demand, but I don't think this applies in the US with only 20 percent nuclear. Stations with higher fuel costs would be shutdown at night or other low load periods, rather than nuclear, so yes there will always be some nuclear being generated at any time.
The major ones are hydroelectric, coal or gas fired, and nuclear. Less prevailent are geothermal and wind. There are other methods in experimental or 'home-scale' stages as well, such as wave power and solar. The majority use turbines powered by steam or water to turn the generators. Each type can be easily looked up. +++ Solar-power stations are now becoming larger and more numerous; and some extensive wind-power stations have been built in places off-shore. There is very little geothermal energy available in any significant quantity in the British Isles.
Nuclear power plants such as PWR and BWR have a thermal efficiency around 33 percent. The best fossil fired plants are around 40 percent efficient.
converts the rotation of the steam turbine shaft to electricity. same as in a coal fired plant.
Power Plants! Fossil fired / coal fired Nuclear No Hydro electrical No Wind powered Solar Panels in some houses
Coal fired plants about 40 percent, nuclear reactors (PWR) about 33 percent
Nuclear plants don't need any chemicals to run, apart from treatment of the feedwater to avoid corrosion, but that is similar to fossil fired stations.
The majority of he UK's electricity is generated by coal or gas-fired power stations. We also use nuclear power, wind and wave generators.
The major ones are hydroelectric, coal or gas fired, and nuclear. Less prevailent are geothermal and wind. There are other methods in experimental or 'home-scale' stages as well, such as wave power and solar. The majority use turbines powered by steam or water to turn the generators. Each type can be easily looked up.
About 45% of electricity in the US is from Coal fired power stations. Gas accounts for about 25% and Nuclear for 20% The remainder is mostly renewables, principally hydro-electric.Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels
Darlington power station refers to a series of two coal-fired power stations situated in Darlingtonin County Durham, North East England.
Coal fired steam driven power stations are still in use
gas fired the boiler
Have you ever heard of the Chernobyl power plant? A coal fired plant can't produce a disaster of that magnitude, and people worry about the potential consequences.
This depends upon how the electricity is generated. Electric cars powered by electricity from coal fired power plants reduce local CO2 emissions, but increase them overall. Cars powered by wind, solar, nuclear, or hydrological power emit very little CO2.
Coal fired, Nuclear Power, Gas Fired, Hydro, Wind Power.