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What type of nuclear reactor is used in Ontario to produce electricity?
This is the Candu type, which was uniquely developed in Canada to use heavy water moderator and natural uranium fuel
Why is the moderator important in a nuclear reactor?
The moderator is used to slow down the neutrons present in the core of the reactor. Normally the neutrons produced as the nuclear fuel (e.g. uranium) is fissioned are travelling too fast to produce a sustained chain reaction. Some examples of moderators are cadmium, heavy water and graphite.
What are the examples of fissions?
The only example of nuclear fission in a naturally occurring material is of Uranium 235, which comprises 0.7 percent of natural uranium, the rest being Uranium 238 which is not fissile. To use U235 in a nuclear reactor it is usually enriched to about 4 percent first, though reactors have been designed to use natural uranium. These have to use graphite or heavy water as moderator, as normal water absorbs too many neutrons. During reactor operation some of the U238 absorbs a neutron and becomes Plutonium 239 which is also fissile, so this contributes to a proportion of the reactor power which increases as the fuel is used and the U235 diminishes.
How heavy water is used to make plutonium from uranium?
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.
What part of a nuclear reactor system contains uranium?
The fuel rods in a nuclear reactor system contain uranium. This uranium undergoes a nuclear reaction, generating heat used to produce electricity.
What type of nuclear reactor is used in Ontario to produce electricity?
This is the Candu type, which was uniquely developed in Canada to use heavy water moderator and natural uranium fuel
What are the advantages and disadvantages in having a natural nuclear reactor?
natural nuclear reactors are not possible now as the concentration of fissionable Uranium-235 in unenriched natural Uranium ore is too low.
What is the name of the fuel used in the nuclear reactor?
The fuel used in a nuclear reactor is typically uranium. Specifically, the most common type of uranium used is uranium-235, which undergoes nuclear fission to produce energy in the reactor.
Why is the moderator important in a nuclear reactor?
The moderator is used to slow down the neutrons present in the core of the reactor. Normally the neutrons produced as the nuclear fuel (e.g. uranium) is fissioned are travelling too fast to produce a sustained chain reaction. Some examples of moderators are cadmium, heavy water and graphite.
Does uranium need to be enriched in order to be used in a nuclear reactor?
Yes, uranium needs to be enriched in order to be used in a nuclear reactor. Enrichment increases the concentration of uranium-235, the isotope necessary for sustained nuclear reactions in most reactors. Natural uranium is primarily composed of uranium-238, which needs to be converted to uranium-235 through enrichment processes.
What is an atomic pile?
An atomic pile is a type of nuclear reactor that uses natural uranium as fuel to sustain a controlled nuclear reaction. It is an early form of nuclear reactor developed in the mid-20th century for research and experimental purposes.
What is a reactor?
A nuclear reactor is an assembly of fuel elements (uranium usually), a moderator which can be ordinary water, heavy water, or graphite, and control rods. The reactor is made to reach criticality when uranium fuel will produce a steady power output as a result of nuclear fissions which release heat. The heat is used to produce steam which feeds a conventional steam turbine/generating unit.
What is uranium used for in a nuclear reactor?
fuel
What fuel does a nuclear reactor use?
Uranium-235 in combination with Uranium-238, enriched from natural levels of about 0.7% U-235 to about 5% U-235. There are other configurations, but this is the most common.
What are the examples of fissions?
The only example of nuclear fission in a naturally occurring material is of Uranium 235, which comprises 0.7 percent of natural uranium, the rest being Uranium 238 which is not fissile. To use U235 in a nuclear reactor it is usually enriched to about 4 percent first, though reactors have been designed to use natural uranium. These have to use graphite or heavy water as moderator, as normal water absorbs too many neutrons. During reactor operation some of the U238 absorbs a neutron and becomes Plutonium 239 which is also fissile, so this contributes to a proportion of the reactor power which increases as the fuel is used and the U235 diminishes.
How much uranium produces nuclear power?
A typical nuclear power plant requires approximately 27 metric tons of uranium fuel per year to produce electricity. This amount can vary depending on the specific reactor design and fuel cycle used. The energy produced from uranium in a nuclear reactor is much more concentrated than energy from other traditional sources like coal or natural gas.
How much is uranium dioxide worth?
Approx. 70 US $ for 1 kg of nuclear reactor grade uranium doxide (with natural uranium); the enriched uranium is more expensive, depending on enrichment.
