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They may become important in the future but are not at the moment. This type of reactor has been built as prototypes, but is not in commercial use. The importance is that the present type of reactors in service (mostly PWR and BWR, but also PHWR and AGR) all use Uranium 235 as the fissile material, and this may become scarce in future years, though supplies are probably secure for another 50 years or so. When natural uranium is enriched in U235 there is depleted uranium left behind, this has little 235 but is mostly 238. If this is irradiated in a fast reactor it will produce Plutonium, which can then be used as the feed fuel for that reactor and others, so securing a further supply of nuclear fuel. Water cannot be used in a fast reactor as it moderates or slows the neutrons, and liquid metals (sodium or sodium/potassium) have been experimented with. The concept does work but so far is not commercially attractive. This type of prototype experiment can only be done with government funds and at the moment there is not much activity except design studies. Quite a large prototype was built at Dounreay in Scotland but financial support was rmoved and it is now being de-commissioned. See Wikipedia 'Fast Breeder Reactor'
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoLiquid sodium (Na) or sodium-potassium alloy (NaK) are preferred in fast reactors because they do not act as moderators (slow down neutrons). This leaves the neutron flux fast, improving breeding efficiency. Other metals can be used instead (e.g. Mercury) but NaK has one of the best temperature ranges.
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Is sodium chloride liquid the best conductor of electricity?
Liquid sodium chloride is a conductor but not the best.
Does sodium dissolve in liquid?
Yes, sodium dissolves in liquid. Specifically, it readily dissolves in certain liquids such as water, forming a solution.
What does sodium chloride become when heated?
Sodium chloride become a liquid at 801 0C.
What is liquid glass?
Liquid glass is Sodium Silicate also known as water glass.
Is sodium nitrite a liquid solid or gas at room temperature?
Sodium nitrite is a solid at room temperature.
Does liquid sodium is used as a coolant in nuclear reactors?
In some reactors it is, depends on the design.
How much temperature can be controlled by liquid sodium in nuclear reactors?
Liquid sodium has been used as a coolant in fast reactors, because it does not slow down and absorb fast neutrons. It does not control the nuclear reaction directly, for that variable neutron absorbers are required.
What metal do power stations use as a liquid cooler?
Most current nuclear power plants just use ordinary wateras coolant.However experimental reactors have been built using:MercuryNaK - Sodium Potassium alloyLeadSolder - Tin Lead alloyOil (which also acts as moderator to slow neutrons)etc.NaK was the most common in fast breeder power reactors.
What is the coolant used in kalpakkam power station in India?
Kalpakkam has both Thermal reactor (Madras Atomic Power Station) and Fast Breeder Reactor -FBTR and PFBR (Under construction). In MAPS (thermal reactor) it is Heavy Water (D2O) Which acts as a coolant as well as moderator, where as in Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) and Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) Sodium (Na) is used as coolant. Since there should not any moderators for fast reactors D2O will not be used as coolant in fast reactors.
Liquid sodium can be used to cool nuclear reactors. If it takes 1395 g to fill a contained of 1500 mL what is the density of the liquid sodium?
1395g/1500mL = 0.93g/mLCome on its simple math!Mass/Volume = Density
What has the author Chauncey Starr written?
Chauncey Starr has written: 'Sodium graphite reactors' -- subject(s): Sodium graphite reactors
What can salt be other than sodium?
Sodium can be used in the form of Liquid.In Nuclear reactors, where liquid sodium is used as coolant.Sodium can be in the form of vapor or gas (Sodium Vapor lamp). We are using it in street lights.A2 and as for compounds, baking soda, and washing soda; (carbonates); sodium silicate which used to be used as an egg preserver.
What happens in a breeder reactor?
A breeder reactor is a type of power reactor that operates without a moderator to slow the neutrons. This requires either Uranium fuel enriched to at least 20% Uranium-235 or Plutonium fuel to operate at critical without Uranium-238 in the core capturing the fast neutrons and stopping the chain reaction. Most breeder reactors use a liquid metal coolant (water is both coolant and moderator so it cannot be used) like liquid Sodium, NaK, or Mercury in their primary loop. The core of a breeder reactor is surrounded with a "breeding blanket" of either natural or depleted Uranium plates. The Uranium-238 in this blanket captures neutrons escaping the core and "breeds" Plutonium and other transuranic elements. Periodically plates of the "breeding blanket" are replaced and processed to extract the Plutonium and sometimes other transuranics to make new fuel for that reactor and other reactors. A well tuned breeder reactor can make several times the nuclear fuel it consumes in its lifetime.There was discussion some years back of using significantly detuned breeder reactors to rapidly destroy the excess of weapons grade Uranium and Plutonium resulting from dismantling of weapons retired due to treaty limits. Not much seems to have happened with that idea.
How sodium is used in nuclear reactor?
Some early and some experimental reactors used sodium as the primary coolant.
Can liquid electrolyte which does not have sodium molecules conduct sodium ions?
no liquid electrolyte which does not have sodium molecules conduct sodium ions because when liquid electrolyte does not have sodium molecules . so there r no sodium molecules and hence there r no any sodium ions. so how can liquid electrolyte conduct sodium ions.
Why sodium is used in nuclear reactors?
efficient coolant that does not act as a neutron moderator.
What can be used in as a coolant in nuclear reactors?
The most successful have been light water and carbon dioxide. Liquid metals like sodium have been tried experimentally, and helium gas might be used in a high temperature reactor.
