Heavy water (deuterium) functions as a moderator. It slows down fast neutrons released by fission reactions in order to allow the reaction to be sustained. Fast neutrons pass through the reactor before initiating another fission reaction.
Heavy water can be used in a nuclear reactor to moderate the speed of neutrons, making it easier for uranium-238 to absorb a neutron and become plutonium-239. This process is known as breeding plutonium in a reactor and is one method of producing plutonium for nuclear weapons or fuel.
Many pressurized water reactors use "regular" water (light water) as a primay coolant. That means that "only heavy water" is not a rule as regards reactor design. Reactor design specifies the coolant to be used.
Coolant, such as water or a specific type of liquid metal, is used in a nuclear reactor to absorb the heat released during the nuclear fission process. The coolant carries away the heat and helps to regulate the temperature within the reactor to prevent overheating.
This is used in the nuclear reactor that is known as Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) in which heat produced by the nuclear fission in the nuclear fuel allows the light water reactor coolant to boil. Then, the nuclear reactor moisture separator is used to increase the dryness of the produced steam before it goes to the reactor steam turbines.
This is the Candu type, which was uniquely developed in Canada to use heavy water moderator and natural uranium fuel
The moderator used in the nuclear reactor at Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam is usually heavy water (deuterium oxide) or light water (ordinary water). These moderators are important for slowing down neutrons produced during nuclear fission reactions to sustain the chain reaction in the reactor.
Water (H2), or heavy water (D2O). Sometimes, liquid sodium is used.
Heavy water can be used in a nuclear reactor to moderate the speed of neutrons, making it easier for uranium-238 to absorb a neutron and become plutonium-239. This process is known as breeding plutonium in a reactor and is one method of producing plutonium for nuclear weapons or fuel.
Control rods are used as moderators in nuclear reactors to regulate the rate of fission reactions by absorbing neutrons. By adjusting the position of the control rods, the reactor can be managed to sustain a controlled chain reaction.
The Kalpakkam nuclear power plant uses heavy water (deuterium oxide) as a coolant and moderator in its Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). Heavy water has a higher density than regular water, allowing it to efficiently slow down neutrons and regulate the nuclear reaction in the reactor core.
Boric acid solution is used to bathe the control rods and fuel bundles of a nuclear reactor. This solution helps control the nuclear reaction by absorbing excess neutrons.
Most current power plants use water, but heavy water, graphite, hydrocarbons, etc. could be used instead.
The pressurised water reactor (PWR)
Many pressurized water reactors use "regular" water (light water) as a primay coolant. That means that "only heavy water" is not a rule as regards reactor design. Reactor design specifies the coolant to be used.
Normal water, or light water, absorbs too many neutrons to be an effective moderator in a nuclear reactor. This absorption can make it difficult to sustain a nuclear chain reaction. Instead, reactors often use heavy water or graphite as a moderator, which have lower neutron absorption rates.
Heavy water, also known as deuterium oxide, is used in nuclear reactors as a moderator to slow down neutrons to speeds where they are more likely to cause fission in uranium-235. Normal water can also work as a moderator, but heavy water is preferred as it does not absorb neutrons as readily, allowing for more efficient nuclear reactions. Additionally, heavy water is less prone to radioactive activation compared to ordinary water.
It is a process, in which a heavy nucleus is broken down in to two or more medium heavy fragments. It is used in nuclear reactor and atom bomb.