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Moderation slows or reduces the energy of neutrons in a nuclear reactor. By doing this, moderation allows continuation of the chain reaction. Neutrons will only cause more fission events when they have a specific range of energy, but they have too much energy when they are first emitted from their precipitating event, hence the need for moderation.
Moderation also regulates the reaction. In the light water moderated reactor, for instance, a common design, water is the moderator. Water is also the heat sink, carrying away the energy of the reaction to make steam which spins turbines and makes electricity. If reactivity were to increase, temperature would also increase, causing an increase in the number of voids in the water. This reduces the effectiveness of the moderator and tends to decrease reactivity. Similarly, if reactivity were to decrease, temperature would decrease, causing voids to decrease, ultimately causing reactivity to increase. Conversely, if the load changes, that will reflect back into the water temperature, causing reactivity to adjust accordingly. It is a self-stabilizing situation.
It is also a safety designed system. If there were a sudden loss of heat sink, such as a turbine load rejection, temperature would go up, causing a decrease in reactivity. If there were a steam line break, causing a depressurization incident, the water would flash to steam and the reactor would go instantly subcritical. In both of these scenarios, there would be time to insert the control rods, forcing the reactor further subcritical, and giving the emergency core cooling systems time to startup.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoYes, can be light or heavy water
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What is artificial nuclear reactor?
An artificial nuclear reactor is a nuclear reactor that is created by man to utilize a nuclear reaction for energy, as opposed to natural nuclear reactors.
What defines the process in a nuclear reactor that reduces the speed of neutrons so they can be captured by the reactor fuel in order to continue the chain reaction?
You did not provide the list of "the following". However, the answer to the question is moderation. Moderation is the process whereby the neutron is slowed down in order to facilitate its subsequent capture by the nuclei of the fuel.
What is a Nuclear reactor moisture separator?
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.
What is a reactor used for in welders?
Not a nuclear reactor!
What does fission happen in?
Nuclear reactor
What is the Japanese Nuclear Reactor?
A Nuclear Reactor.
Is A working nuclear reactor is a very simple energy conversion device?
No, its not simple. It requires a sophisticated balance of temperature, pressure, and moderation in order to sustain a critical nuclear fission reaction.
What is artificial nuclear reactor?
An artificial nuclear reactor is a nuclear reactor that is created by man to utilize a nuclear reaction for energy, as opposed to natural nuclear reactors.
What is nuclear reactor kinetics?
Nuclear reactor kinetics is the branch of reactor engineering and reactor physics and control that deals with long term time changes in reactor fuel and nuclear reactors.
What defines the process in a nuclear reactor that reduces the speed of neutrons so they can be captured by the reactor fuel in order to continue the chain reaction?
You did not provide the list of "the following". However, the answer to the question is moderation. Moderation is the process whereby the neutron is slowed down in order to facilitate its subsequent capture by the nuclei of the fuel.
Does South Africa has a nuclear reactor?
yes, south Africa has a nuclear reactor.
How does nuclear reactor works to produce electricity?
how electricity is produced in a nuclear reactor
What is the difference between nuclear reactor and nuclearpower plant?
a nuclear reactor converts binding energy into heat. a nuclear power plant uses a nuclear reactor to generate electricity.
What is the function of a nuclear reactor of a nuclear plant?
simply, the nuclear reactor is the source of heat (or steam) for the nuclear power plant.
What is a Nuclear reactor moisture separator?
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.
What is a reactor used for in welders?
Not a nuclear reactor!
Do Breeder reactor and nuclear reactor have similarities?
A breeder reactor is one type of nuclear reactor, but not a type that is in general commercial use at the present time
