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Why is enriched uranium is preferred over natural uranium as a fuel in thermal reactors?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
The uranium isotope that is actually useful (whether for a reactor, or for an atomic bomb) is U-235. Natural uranium contains only about 0.7% of this; the remainder is mainly U-238. Therefore, it must be enriched, to have a greater percentage of U-235.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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What kind of thermal reactors is plasma found in?
Thermal plasma reactors
Uranium oxide can be refined to make fuels for nuclear reactors this is an example of a mineral being used for purpose?
Sintered pellets of uranium dioxide, with natural uranium or low enriched in 235U, are currently used as nuclear fuels to produce electric/thermal energy.
Is power reactor a thermal reactor?
All power reactors are thermal reactors except few ones that are fast nuclear reactors.
Are there more fast breeder or thermal nuclear reactors?
Most nuclear reactors are thermal-neutron reactors. A few fast breeder reactors have been built, but not many.
Is thermal reactors safe?
yes, thermal nuclear reactors are safer than fossil power plants, dams, solar power, and coal mining.
Why do uranium ore have be enriched?
Because only the isotope 235U is fissionable with thermal neutrons and also is good for nuclear weapons. This is because normal uranium in the Earth is 0.7 % 235U and 99.3 % 238U. The 235U needs to be enriched to 4 % or greater in order to be effective as a fissile material (fission with neutrons producing fission and more neutrons that can continue the reaction) reaction. Power plants run around 4 % to 5 %; but CANDU type reactors work with natural uranium. Weapons run +99 %. Small high capacity reactors, such as on a submarine, run around 20 %.
What is the feul for nuclear power plants and where does it come from?
Either yellow uranium oxide (yellowcake) or metallic uranium in most reactors. In moderated thermal neutron reactors the uranium is usually enriched to 3% to 5% uranium-235 isotope, in unmoderated fast neutron reactors the uranium is enriched to 20% to 95% uranium-235 isotope. This uranium comes from mines (similar to coal or iron ore mines). What is mined is usually black uranium oxide ore. This ore is processed to make unenriched yellowcake (0.7% uranium-235) and shipped to the enrichment plant. Most enrichment plants process the yellowcake to make uranium hexafloride then run that through their system, producing both enriched uranium (product) and depleted uranium (waste). The enriched uranium hexafloride is then processed back to yellowcake and shipped to a finishing plant that uses it to make the required fuel assemblies.
Does a breeder nuclear reactor use moderator?
Thermal Breeder Reactors use moderators but Fast Breeder Reactors don't use moderator.
What has the author I I Gold'denblat written?
I. I. Gold'denblat has written: 'Calculaton of thermal stresses in nuclear reactors'
What is a nuclear reaction coolant?
Presumably you mean nuclear reactor coolant? This is the fluid that transfers the reactor thermal output to the steam raising units in a PWR, or to the turbine in a BWR, in which cases it is natural water. Gas cooled reactors can use carbon dioxide or helium, and CANDU reactors use heavy water.
How long will uranium suplies last?
Probably 100 years with thermal reactors , but a correct answer is impossible today.
What has the author Gilbert Melese written?
Gilbert Melese has written: 'Thermal and flow design of helium-cooled reactors' -- subject(s): Design and construction, Gas cooled reactors, Helium
