Light-water reactor and plutonium produce

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In summary: A nuclear weapon uses a fissile material, such as U-235. However, Pu-239 can be made into a nuclear weapon if it is processed in a certain way.
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magnetar
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In principle, light-water reactor can also produce plutonium from uranium-238 as heavy-water reactor .Plutonium can be used to make nuclear-weapon!
But,Why do we like to offer this kind of power plant to other nations?
 
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  • #2
LWR's don't just make plutonium in principle. A significant amount of energy produced by commercial LWR's actually does comes from plutonium fission!

While Plutonium-239 is weapons grade, when left in a reactor for more then a few weeks it will absorb another neutron, becoming Pu-240. Pu-240 poisons the fuel as far as weapons are concerned, its presence prevents the material from being used in a weapon.

If you had the technology to separate Pu-240 from Pu-239 then you could have more easily separated U-235 from U-238, which would be far cheaper since the Plutonium isotopes are closer together in mass, and come from radioactive fuel which was in the reactor.

So to answer your question - we aren't worried about other nations being able to make weapons-grade material with LWR's because it really isn't feasible, unless you stop the reactor to refuel it every few weeks instead of running it for 2 years. This kind of activity would not go unnoticed and would be expensive and wasteful compared to conventional methods (e.g. if you had the money to waste on a commercial-sized LWR to operate it with a capacity factor < 50% to refuel it all the time, as well as the fuel processing plant to get the plutonium out of the highly radioactive fuel, you could have afforded a small research reactor to breed plutonium to begin with).
 
  • #3
QuantumPion is correct. No one has ever used a commercial reactor to produce Pu-239 for weapons. The easiest route to a weapon doesn't require a reactor at all. You need a source of uranium, such as yellowcake and a gas centrifuge.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_centrifuge"
Also constructing a nuclear weapon with U-235 is easier than Pu-239.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

1. What is a light-water reactor (LWR)?

A light-water reactor is a type of nuclear reactor that uses ordinary water as both its coolant and its neutron moderator. This means that the water not only absorbs the heat generated by the nuclear reactions, but it also slows down the neutrons, making them more likely to cause additional reactions. LWRs are the most common type of nuclear reactor in the world, used to generate electricity in many countries.

2. How does a light-water reactor produce plutonium?

LWRs produce plutonium as a byproduct of the nuclear reactions that occur within the reactor. When uranium atoms are split (fission), they release energy and also produce smaller atoms, including plutonium. This plutonium can then be extracted and used for various purposes, such as fuel for other nuclear reactors or for nuclear weapons.

3. What are the benefits of using a light-water reactor?

There are several benefits to using a light-water reactor. Firstly, they are relatively safe and reliable, with a proven track record of producing electricity for many decades. Secondly, they can use low-enriched uranium as fuel, which is more readily available and less expensive than highly enriched uranium. Lastly, they can produce large amounts of electricity without emitting greenhouse gases, helping to combat climate change.

4. Are there any concerns or risks associated with light-water reactors?

While light-water reactors are generally considered safe, there are some concerns and risks associated with their use. One concern is the potential for nuclear accidents, such as the one that occurred at Chernobyl in 1986. Another concern is the production of nuclear waste, which is highly radioactive and needs to be carefully stored and disposed of. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential for nuclear materials to be used for weapons if they fall into the wrong hands.

5. How does the use of plutonium produced by light-water reactors impact the environment?

The use of plutonium produced by light-water reactors can have both positive and negative impacts on the environment. On the positive side, it can reduce the need for fossil fuels, which contribute to air pollution and climate change. However, the production and use of plutonium also generate radioactive waste, which can have harmful effects on the environment and living organisms. Proper management and disposal of this waste is crucial to minimize its impact on the environment.

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