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Understanding Nuclear Reactors and Fusion: A Detailed Overview

Learn about low-molar-mass materials used in nuclear reactors, control mechanisms, benefits of nuclear power, breeder reactors, waste management challenges, and the potential of nuclear fusion. Discover how these processes work and why they are vital for our energy needs.

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Understanding Nuclear Reactors and Fusion: A Detailed Overview

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  1. low-molar-mass materials Nuclear Reactors -- fuel is… ~3% U-235 (natural U is ~0.7% U-235) absorb n0, slow down the reaction -- control rods of B or Cd… -- moderator: slows down n0 to cause fission reactors in former USSR: graphite in the rest of the world:water WHY? -- water is heated to steam, which spins electrical- generating turbines control room at a nuclear power plant

  2. Schematic of a Nuclear Power Plant EIW = Emergency Injection Water PORV = Pressure Release Valve

  3. b b Main benefits: (1) no air pollution; does NOT contribute to global warming small volume of material consumed (2) (3) breeder reactors: reactors that generate new fissionable mat’l at a greater rate than the original fuel is consumed -- non-fissionable U-238 is transmuted into fissionable Pu-239 n0 + U-238 U-239 Np-239 Pu-239 Main problem: What to do with waste?

  4. Nuclear Fusion -- also called thermonuclear reactions -- products are generally NOT radioactive -- requires high temperatures (> 40,000,000 K) !!!! WHY? -- the tokamak uses magnetic fields to contain and heat the reaction

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