RE: Questions about Chernobyl and nuclear power plants

[Free Spirit <FRANK@rover.bsd.uchicago.edu>]

>From:	SMTP%"radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu" 26-APR-1996 09:35:02.48
>Subj:	Questions about Chernobyl and nuclear power plants

>A separate question, unrelated to Chernobyl (I know similar questions have
>been asked before - I apologize but I didn't keep the replies):  what are
>the average emissions from a coal-fired plant (in the U.S.) vs. a nuclear
>plant?  I'd like the figures for a "clean" coal plant if possible.  (My
>husband is a nuclear engineering faculty member within a mechanical
>engineering department and the combustion people are telling him they'd
>much rather live near a coal plant).

	Oak Ridge National Labs did a recent study on this. Its available
	at their web site, WWW.ORNL.GOV. To summarize:

	o A typical 1000 megawatt coal burning plant releases 5.2 tons
	  of uranium and 12.8 tons of thorium to the atmosphere every year.

	o According to NCRP reports 92 and 95, population exposure from
	  operation of 1000-MW nuclear and coal-fired plants amount to
	  490 person-rem/year for coal plants and 4.8 person-rem/year
	  for nuclear plants.

	o The energy content of nuclear fuel released in coal combustion
	  is more than that of the coal consumed.

	o In a few years time, the recovery of the uranium-235 released by
	  coal combustion from a typical utility anywhere in the world
	  could provide the equivalent of several WWII type uranium weapons.

	If you wish, I can send you an ascii copy of the article.

	Enjoy!

Frank R. Borger - Physicist     ___      "If I ever had to pick 6 guys to
Michael Reese - U of Chicago   |___      storm a pillbox, and there was no
Center for Radiation Therapy   | |_) _   coming back, I'd pick 6 White Sox
net: Frank@rover.uchicago.edu    | \|_)  fans, because all they've ever known
ph: 312-791-8075 fa: 791-3697       |_)  is losing, and death holds no terror
 					 for them anymore." - Gene Shepard