3 ms·
> Fabricating quality MOX that be fed back into reactors MOX can be fed back only once. After that too much Pu-240 accumulates, and that's a non-fissile eleme
by credit_guy 4y ago
> Fabricating quality MOX that be fed back into reactors
MOX can be fed back only once. After that too much Pu-240 accumulates, and that's a non-fissile element that absorbs a lot of neutrons, so it's a neutron poison (see [1]). Pu-240 can't be separated from Pu-239, except using the same methods to separate U-235 from U-238 (but more difficult, since the relative atomic mass difference is much smaller). If you get into the business of isotope separation, you might as well enrich Uranium.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOX_fuel#Spent_MOX_fuel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOX_fuel#Spent_MOX_fuel
- PaulHoule 4y agoWith a fast reactor you can keep the cycle going. Russia is recycling MOX with the BN-800 fast reactor. The U.S. did it too with the FFTF but the FFTF dumped the heat to the air without trying to produce power. Oddly, this makes the FFTF look more like a future fast reactor because the heat exchanger for the FFTF looks more like the heat exchanger for a low capital cost closed cycle gas turbine.
- Schroedingersat 4y ago> Russia is recycling MOX with the BN-800 fast reactor Source? I was aware it was using MOX, but did not see any discussion over whether it was weapons derived, PWR SNF, from the breeding blanket, or twice used MOX
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]