Abstract
Nuclear power plants currently generate better than 20 % of the central station electricity produced in the USA. The USA currently has 104 operating power producing reactors, with nine more planned. France has 58 with one more planned. China has 13 with 43 planned. Japan has 54 with three more planned. In addition, Russia has 32 with 12 more planned. Nuclear generated electricity has certainly come into its own existent and is the safest, cleanest and greenest form of electricity currently is in produced on this planet. However, many current thermodynamics texts ignore nuclear energy and use few examples of nuclear power systems. Nuclear energy presents some interesting thermodynamic challenges and it helps to introduce them at the fundamental level. Our goal here is to introduce thermodynamics as the energy conversion science that it is and apply it to nuclear systems. Certainly, there are many aspects of thermodynamics that are given little or no coverage. However, that is true for any textual introduction to this science; however by considering concrete systems, it is easier to give insight into the fundamental laws of the science and to provide an intuitive feeling for further study [1–6].
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Zohuri, B., & McDaniel, P. (2015). Thermodynamics in nuclear power plant. New York: Springer.
Cengel, Y. A., & Boles, M. A. (2008). Thermodynamics: An engineering approach (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Elliott, J. R., & Lira, C. T. (1999). Introductory chemical engineering thermodynamics. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Hseih, J. S. (1975). Principles of thermodynamics. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Moran, M. J., & Shapiro, H. N. (2008). Fundamentals of engineering thermodynamics (6th ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Wylen, G. J., & Sonntag, R. E. (1978). Fundamentals of classical thermodynamics, SI version 2e. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Zohuri, B. (2016). Definitions and Basic Principles. In: Application of Compact Heat Exchangers For Combined Cycle Driven Efficiency In Next Generation Nuclear Power Plants. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23537-0_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23537-0_1
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-23536-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-23537-0
eBook Packages: EnergyEnergy (R0)