Industrial Uses for Nuclear Energy?

AI Thread Summary
Nuclear energy primarily generates electricity, serving as an alternative to fossil fuels for both domestic and industrial applications. While the discussion emphasizes electricity production, it also highlights other uses, such as generating steam for industrial processes and producing isotopes for medical applications. Additionally, nuclear energy contributes to the functionality of smoke detectors and other devices that rely on ionization. The conversation reflects a broader inquiry into the potential industrial applications of nuclear energy beyond electricity generation. Overall, nuclear energy has diverse uses, though electricity remains its most significant output.
LatexZone
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Homework Statement


I can't figure out any Industrial Uses for Nuclear Energy...


Homework Equations


N/A


The Attempt at a Solution


I know that domestic uses would be that it creates Electricity for our homes..but what are the industrial uses?
 
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LatexZone said:
I know that domestic uses would be that it creates Electricity for our homes..but what are the industrial uses?

it creates Electricity for our factories?
 
But that's Domestic usage.

Ok, then what would a domestic usage be? :P
 
Electricity in our homes.
 
It just makes electricity as an alternative to burning fossil fuels then, yes? It doesn't do anything else domestically or industrially.
 
LatexZone said:
It just makes electricity as an alternative to burning fossil fuels then, yes? It doesn't do anything else domestically or industrially.

Pretty much, in ships you can use the turbines to directly drive the propeller but on modern ships it would probably still make electricity to drive azipods.

There was an idea to use a reactor to generate steam for oil sands extraction but sanity prevailed.
 
LatexZone said:
It just makes electricity as an alternative to burning fossil fuels then, yes? It doesn't do anything else domestically or industrially.

What about production of isotopes?
 
Borek said:
What about production of isotopes?

Bah beat me to it! Reactors are indeed sources of radioactive samples used in various medical fields.
 
And smoke detectors. And killing KGB defectors. And self illuminated clocks. Many practical uses.
 
  • #10
Nuclear Energy is used to make Smoke Detectors work?

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What are some Industrial uses for Kinetic Energy? lol? Frustrating me and I can't do this.
 
  • #12
I don't get it xD
 
  • #13
In short: isotope radiation makes the air ionized. Air resistivity is a function of number of ions. Presence of smoke changes the ionization level. You measure air resistivity - when there is a sudden change, you detected smoke some contamination, most likely smoke.

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