Key Issues
Beneficial Uses of Radiation
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Space Exploration (Powering Us Into Space)
Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) provide power for unmanned spacecraft. RTGs use the natural decay of plutonium dioxide to produce heat. The RTGs transfer that heat into electrical power through thermoelectric devices. A typical modern RTG produces about 300 watts and will operate unattended for many years. RTGs have powered 24 U.S. space missions, with an outstanding safety record. These include the Apollo Lunar Surface Experimental Packages, the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft launched in 1972 and 1973, two Viking Mars spacecraft (1978), two Voyager spacecraft (1977), and the Galileo (1989), Ulysses (1990) and Cassini (1997) spacecraft.
Powering the U.S. Navy Fleet
Nuclear reactors power both surface ships and submarines. The U.S. Navy has built more than 200 nuclear-powered ships and steamed more than 100 million miles on nuclear energy. The Navy operates 98 nuclear-powered submarines and 11 nuclear-powered surface ships. Nuclear propulsion gives submarines two major advantages—speed and underwater range without surfacing. The modern U.S. submarine, for example, can cruise up to 1 million miles, or more than 25 years, without refueling. Modern nuclear-powered surface ships, including aircraft carriers, can operate continuously at high speeds for extended periods without the need for support ships.
Industry, Manufacturing, Engineering
Today, practically every industry uses radioactive materials. Manufacturers use radioisotopes to improve the quality of goods in thousands of industrial plants throughout the world. Because radiation loses energy as it passes through substances, industry has been able to develop highly sensitive gauges to measure the thickness and density of many materials, as well as imaging devices to inspect finished goods for weaknesses and flaws.
Small amounts of radioactive substances commonly are used as tracers in process materials. They make it possible to track leakage from piping systems, monitor the rate of engine wear and corrosion of processing equipment, observe the velocity of materials through pipes, and gauge the efficiency of filtration systems.
Manufacturers also use radiation to “cold sterilize” plastics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other products that are too heat-sensitive to be sterilized in other ways.
Radiation detection instruments make it possible to take measurements without direct physical contact with the substance being measured. For example, level gauges containing radioactive sources work well as measuring devices where heat, pressure or corrosive substances, such as molten glass or metal, make it difficult or impossible to use direct contact gauges.
Other industries and processes that use radioactive materials include:
Space Exploration (Powering Us Into Space)
Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) provide power for unmanned spacecraft. RTGs use the natural decay of plutonium dioxide to produce heat. The RTGs transfer that heat into electrical power through thermoelectric devices. A typical modern RTG produces about 300 watts and will operate unattended for many years. RTGs have powered 24 U.S. space missions, with an outstanding safety record. These include the Apollo Lunar Surface Experimental Packages, the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft launched in 1972 and 1973, two Viking Mars spacecraft (1978), two Voyager spacecraft (1977), and the Galileo (1989), Ulysses (1990) and Cassini (1997) spacecraft.
Powering the U.S. Navy Fleet
Nuclear reactors power both surface ships and submarines. The U.S. Navy has built more than 200 nuclear-powered ships and steamed more than 100 million miles on nuclear energy. The Navy operates 98 nuclear-powered submarines and 11 nuclear-powered surface ships. Nuclear propulsion gives submarines two major advantages—speed and underwater range without surfacing. The modern U.S. submarine, for example, can cruise up to 1 million miles, or more than 25 years, without refueling. Modern nuclear-powered surface ships, including aircraft carriers, can operate continuously at high speeds for extended periods without the need for support ships.
Industry, Manufacturing, Engineering
Today, practically every industry uses radioactive materials. Manufacturers use radioisotopes to improve the quality of goods in thousands of industrial plants throughout the world. Because radiation loses energy as it passes through substances, industry has been able to develop highly sensitive gauges to measure the thickness and density of many materials, as well as imaging devices to inspect finished goods for weaknesses and flaws.
Small amounts of radioactive substances commonly are used as tracers in process materials. They make it possible to track leakage from piping systems, monitor the rate of engine wear and corrosion of processing equipment, observe the velocity of materials through pipes, and gauge the efficiency of filtration systems.
Manufacturers also use radiation to “cold sterilize” plastics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other products that are too heat-sensitive to be sterilized in other ways.
Radiation detection instruments make it possible to take measurements without direct physical contact with the substance being measured. For example, level gauges containing radioactive sources work well as measuring devices where heat, pressure or corrosive substances, such as molten glass or metal, make it difficult or impossible to use direct contact gauges.
Other industries and processes that use radioactive materials include:
- the automobile industry, to test the quality of steel in vehicles
- aircraft manufacturers, to check for flaws in jet engines
- mining and petroleum companies, to locate and quantify oil, natural gas and mineral deposits
- manufacturers, to obtain the proper thickness of tin and aluminum
- pipeline companies, to look for defects in welds
- oil, gas and mining companies, to map geological contours using test wells and mine bores, and to determine the presence of hydrocarbons
- construction crews, to gauge the density of road surfaces and subsurfaces.
