Nuclear Energy: Principles, Practices, and Prospects - Hardcover

Bodansky, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1563962446 ISBN 13: 9781563962448

Publisher: American Institute of Physics, 1996

Synopsis

Market: Scientists in nuclear engineering, engineering students, and government policy makers with technical backgrounds. This book presents an objective view of nuclear energy as an important source for future energy needs. It discusses various types of reactors, the nuclear fuel cycle, the problem of nuclear waste disposal, reactor accidents, safety and new types of reactors that are being considered, and the cost of electricity from nuclear power. Additional themes include the problem of nuclear weapons, their storage, and, very important, their disposal as nuclear arsenals are pared down.

About this title

From the Back Cover

The world faces serious difficulties in obtaining the energy that will be needed in coming decades for a growing population, especially given the problem of climate change caused by fossil fuel use. This book presents a view of nuclear energy as an important carbon-free energy option. It discusses the nuclear fuel cycle, the types of reactors used today and proposed for the future, nuclear waste disposal, reactor accidents and reactor safety, nuclear weapon proliferation, and the cost of electric power. To provide background for these discussions, the book begins with chapters on the history of the development and use of nuclear energy, the health effects of ionizing radiation, and the basic physics principles of reactor operation.

The text has been rewritten and substantially expanded for this edition, to reflect changes that have taken place in the eight years since the publication of the first edition and to provide greater coverage of key topics. These include the Yucca Mountain repository plans, designs for next-generation reactors, weapons proliferation and terrorism threats, the potential of alternatives to nuclear energy, and controversies about low-level radiation.

Acclaim for the first edition:

"...The book provides a superb background for scientists and those in technical fields. It provides probably all the information that many people, including government policy makers, will ever need...[a] well-written and balanced book. This book is recommended for anyone who wants a broad technical background on nuclear energy."
-American Journal of Physics

Review

 From the reviews:

"In this book Dr. Bodansky attempts to address virtually every aspect of nuclear power, from theory and design through operation to waste disposal, and he does an admirable job. He brings together in one readable volume all the various facets of nuclear energy with a discussion of its principles, practices, and prospects ... The book provides a superb background for scientists and those in technical fields. It provides probably all the information that many people, including government policy makers, will ever need...[a] well-written and balanced book. This book is recommended for anyone who wants a broad technical background on nuclear energy." American Journal of Physics

Edition details

• Publisher: American Institute of Physics
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 1563962446
• ISBN 13: 9781563962448
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 396