3 ms·
In any reactor that contains U238, present day reactors and the hybrid reactors from the article, a neutron is absorbed to form U239. This quickly beta decays
by c517402 10y ago
In any reactor that contains U238, present day reactors and the hybrid reactors from the article, a neutron is absorbed to form U239. This quickly beta decays into Np239 (23.5 minute half-life). This then beta decays into Pu239 (2.3 day half-life). So, anyplace there is U238 and a bunch of neutrons, you are producing the best material known for the fission explosion that initiates a fusion explosion. At the end of the life cycle of a normal Uranium fuel pellet most of the energy is actually coming from Plutonium. Why do you think there was a push to have Iran's Uranium enriched outside the country? So it could be salted to make the Pu239 unusable with Pu240.
I just think the production of Pu239 should enter the rational discussion of nuclear energy.
EDIT: fixed grammar
- wbl 10y agoThe Pu-240 production happens as a side reaction so low-burnup is required. IAEA safeguards have never been exploited, and some include designing reactors to prohibit frequent refuelling.
- c517402 10y agoI take it that by 'exploited' you mean 'circumvented'. I would like to be more assured than "has never happened before." And, "low-burnup is required?" Separation of Pu239 and Pu240 is physically impossible? It may be hazardous and difficult but seems possible. If there is a physical reason Pu240 depletion is impossible, please let it be known.
- wbl 10y agoIf you can extract Pu240 why not produce high enriched U-235 instead? Isotope separation is expensive compared to chemical seperation, and has a large footprint. It's not enough to make a nuke: you need to do so covertly or else your enemies will preempt it.
- c517402 10y agoIf a footprint to produce reactor grade Uranium already exists, it could mask the footprint for something else. It might be easier to deplete a small percentage of Pu240, than to enrich reactor grade Uranium (4% U235) to a highly enriched form (90% U235). How would the volatility of Pu240 effect separation? Not sure.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- DennisP 10y agoFast fission reactors don't leave much plutonium behind, because they fission it much more efficiently. Hybrid reactors would be even better, because fusion neutrons have such high energy that they fission U238 directly.
- c517402 9y agoGood to know