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Weight for weight, Pu239 produces similar energy to U235. However reactor fuel as normally produced from enriched uranium, does not contain Pu. During operation, Pu239 is produced by irradiation of U238 with neutrons (U238 is of course the major part of the U in the fuel, only about 4 percent is U235). The build up of Pu239 compensates to some extent for the burnup of the U235. However as reactor operation continues, the Pu239 is also burnt up, and higher isotopes of Pu are produced, so eventually the fuel must be replaced. Pu with a high concentration of 239 was produced in quantity for weapons in the cold war period, by irradiating fuel for a deliberately short period.
Some fuel has been produced with a mixture of U and Pu, this is called MOX fuel (mixed oxide). This has been used in Europe but I believe not in the US though proposals have been made. This would have the advantage of using up some of the surplus Pu239 which exists in the world after the cold war excess production.
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Is plutonium a renewable or non renewable resource?
Plutonium is not a renewable source of energy.
What is Plutonium 241 and its uses?
Plutonium is a fissile isotope of plutonium; by fission Pu-241 release energy in nuclear reactors.
Why plutonium is important?
Plutonium is used as nuclear fuel for nuclear reactors to produce electric energy. Also plutonium is indispensable for nuclear weapons.
What is the use of plutonium in a nuclear bomb?
Plutonium is the core of a nuclear weapon; the nuclear fission release an enormous quantity of energy and radiations.
Why use plutonium in nuclear reactors?
Plutonium is used as nuclear fuel for nuclear reactors. Plutonium isotopes (239, 241) are fissionable with thermal neutrons releasing an extremely great quantity of energy.
How many energy level found in an atom of plutonium?
Electrons in the plutonium atom are placed in 7 energy levels.
How many energy levels in plutonium?
Plutonium has 7 electron shells.
What are the differences between Plutonium production reactors and Power generator reactors?
Plutonium production energy are designed to produce weapons grade plutonium, not electric energy or heat.
Is plutonium a renewable or non renewable resource?
Plutonium is not a renewable source of energy.
What is Plutonium 241 and its uses?
Plutonium is a fissile isotope of plutonium; by fission Pu-241 release energy in nuclear reactors.
Is plutonium a ionization energy or a electronegativity?
The electronegativity of plutonim (after Pauling tables) is 1,28. The ionization energy of plutonium is 584,7 kJ/mol.
Why plutonium is important?
Plutonium is used as nuclear fuel for nuclear reactors to produce electric energy. Also plutonium is indispensable for nuclear weapons.
What was wrong with using plutonium as the source of nuclear energy?
Nothing is wrong; but plutonium is very toxic, radioactive - dangerous.
What is the importance of plutonium?
it is used in producing nuclear energy
What are some Sources of nuclear energy?
Uranium and plutonium
Energy resource that is based on fission?
uranium and plutonium
What restrictions are there to buy plutonium?
Plutonium trading is extremely restricted and controlled internationally by IAEA (International Agency for Atomic Energy). Generally is impossible to buy illegally plutonium.
