CHE 310 Lecture 9: CHE310NuclearChem
26 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
Nuclear chemistry does not require fossil fuels or release greenhouse gases. It also creates radioactive waste (some with half lives of tens of thousands of years, has the potential for dangerous accidents, and has the potential for fuel or waste being used for nuclear weapon. U235 is the fuel in most reactors, used at 3-5% enrichment. Mined u is 0. 72% u235, u238 is main isotope. During u235, some of the main u238 (major isotope) is converted to pu239 (fissionable). Chain nuclear reaction there are 2-3 neutrons released when an atom of u235 undergoes fission. These can collide with another u235 atom and induce fission. Fuel rods: contain uo2 pellets; the u is 3-5% u235 (natural abundance is 0. 7%) Control rods contain atoms that absorb neutrons without undergoing fission. The position of the control rods is used to control the rate of the nuclear chain reaction. Fission rector designs moderator and coolant.
