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uvdiv, I did not misunderstand. The light water is the coolant AND the moderator. You need a moderator that slows down the emitted neutrons to keep the nuclear
by mironathetin 16y ago
uvdiv, I did not misunderstand.
The light water is the coolant AND the moderator. You need a moderator that slows down the emitted neutrons to keep the nuclear chain reaction going.
But evidently, the water is not the only moderator they use. They don't use graphite, though.
- ErrantX 16y agoBut evidently, the water is not the only moderator they use. Where did you get that assumption from? Water is definitely the only moderator in this form of LWR (based on the published design specs).
- mironathetin 16y agoI consulted Wikipedia about the design of german light water reactors. Bor is used in addition to water. It enables regulation of the power (in some limits). Makes sense to do that. I don't know if this is done in Japan too. It could explain, why the reaction does not stop after the water is gone.
- ErrantX 16y agoOh I see. This is a Boiling Water Reactor, a variant of LWR's, it does not use Bor (in any form) as a day-to-day moderator. However in this incident Boric acid is being added to the water to help with the process. Pressurized Water Reactors use Boric acid, which is a different variant.