Re: Nuclear Physics Question

From: Uncle Al (UncleAl0_at_hate.spam.net)
Date: 03/27/05 

Date: Sun, 27 Mar 2005 08:25:38 -0800

Jamie wrote:
>
> Hey,
>
> If a nuclear reactor is freshly refuelled with natural uranium
> generates 2000MW of nuclear power in contiuous operation.
>
> I have calculated that the mass of 235 Uranium that must undergo
> fission to produce this power over 24 hrs was 2.11kg.
>
> My question is: What is the total mass of 235 Uranium "consumed"
> within the 24 hours?
>
> I have a choice of: 2.11kg, 11.4kg, 2.5kg, 10.7gm, 291.9kg.
>
> And as a final question: What is the mass of 239 Pu produced from the
> conversion of 239 Uranium over this period (i have choice of: 1.19kg,
> 1.21kg, 1.44kg, 1.42kg.)

What is the energy (not power) output? E=mc^2 Work the equation.
1.19 kg vs. 1.21 kg and 1.42 vs. 1.44 of Pu production are
unsupportable differences given reactor operating variables.

A sustained 2 GW natural uranium reactor would be an interesting
object, especially given xenon-135 neutron poisoning within 24-48 hrs
of operation commencing. Samarium-149 is an additional problem for
long term running plus periodic shutdown and startup.

<http://www.tpub.com/doenuclearphys/nuclearphysics66.htm>
 and followng pages. 

-- 
Uncle Al
http://www.mazepath.com/uncleal/
 (Toxic URL! Unsafe for children and most mammals)
http://www.mazepath.com/uncleal/qz.pdf

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