1. Is the energy source classified as non renewable, renewable or inexhaustible?
Uranium classified as non renewable.
2. how is the energy source made usable?
When the nucleus of a U-235 atom captures a moving neutron it split in two and releases some of heat, also two or three additional neutrons are thrown off. If enough of these expelled neutrons cause the nuclei of other U-235 atoms to split, releasing further neutrons. When this happens over and over again, many millions of times, a very large amount of heat is produced from a relatively small amount of uranium. It is uranium fission, in effect "burning" uranium, which occurs in a nuclear reactor. The heat is used to make steam to produce electricity.
3. what are the infrastructure requirements for utilizing this energy source?
uranium fuel is assembled in such a way that a controlled fission chain reaction can be achieved. The heat created by splitting the U-235 atoms is then used to make steam which spins a turbine to drive a generator, producing electricity.The chain reaction that takes place in the core of a nuclear reactor is controlled by rods which absorb neutrons and which can be inserted or withdrawn to set the reactor at the required power level. The fuel elements are surrounded by a substance called a moderator to slow the speed of the emitted neutrons
4. what emerging technologies will make this energy source safer, more usable, more efficient, cleaner... etc?
Thorium could provide a cleaner and more abundant alternative to uranium
Uranium classified as non renewable.
2. how is the energy source made usable?
When the nucleus of a U-235 atom captures a moving neutron it split in two and releases some of heat, also two or three additional neutrons are thrown off. If enough of these expelled neutrons cause the nuclei of other U-235 atoms to split, releasing further neutrons. When this happens over and over again, many millions of times, a very large amount of heat is produced from a relatively small amount of uranium. It is uranium fission, in effect "burning" uranium, which occurs in a nuclear reactor. The heat is used to make steam to produce electricity.
3. what are the infrastructure requirements for utilizing this energy source?
uranium fuel is assembled in such a way that a controlled fission chain reaction can be achieved. The heat created by splitting the U-235 atoms is then used to make steam which spins a turbine to drive a generator, producing electricity.The chain reaction that takes place in the core of a nuclear reactor is controlled by rods which absorb neutrons and which can be inserted or withdrawn to set the reactor at the required power level. The fuel elements are surrounded by a substance called a moderator to slow the speed of the emitted neutrons
4. what emerging technologies will make this energy source safer, more usable, more efficient, cleaner... etc?
Thorium could provide a cleaner and more abundant alternative to uranium
Reference
http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Nuclear-Fuel-Cycle/Introduction/What-is-Uranium--How-Does-it-Work-/
http://www.gizmag.com/thorium-nuclear-power/18204/
http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Nuclear-Fuel-Cycle/Introduction/What-is-Uranium--How-Does-it-Work-/
http://www.gizmag.com/thorium-nuclear-power/18204/