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saifadin
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why we need heavy water to produce plutonium?
;-)vanesch said:We don't.
Heavy water, also known as deuterium oxide (D2O), is necessary for producing plutonium because it acts as a moderator in the nuclear reactor. This means it slows down the neutrons released during the nuclear reactions, allowing them to be absorbed by the uranium fuel and produce plutonium.
Heavy water differs from regular water in that it contains a higher concentration of the isotope deuterium, which has an extra neutron in its nucleus. This makes it slightly heavier than regular water, hence the name "heavy water".
Yes, plutonium can be produced without using heavy water. This can be achieved by using other types of moderators, such as graphite or light water (H2O), in the nuclear reactor. However, heavy water is the most efficient and commonly used moderator for producing plutonium.
Yes, heavy water is more expensive to produce than regular water. It requires a complex and energy-intensive process known as electrolysis, which involves separating the deuterium from regular water molecules. This makes heavy water production a significant cost in the production of plutonium.
Heavy water itself is not considered a safety concern. However, it can become radioactive when exposed to neutron radiation in the nuclear reactor. This means that proper precautions must be taken to handle and dispose of the heavy water used in the production of plutonium.