- #1
edpell
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Can we breed protactinium from thorium by hitting it with accelerated He ions?
Accelerate He ions on to Thorium
- Thread starter edpell
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- Accelerate Ions
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SUMMARY
The discussion focuses on the feasibility of breeding protactinium (Pa) from thorium (Th) using accelerated helium (He) ions. It confirms that while an (alpha, p) reaction can produce Pa, a more efficient method involves neutron capture in Th-232, which transforms into Th-233. This process subsequently decays into Pa-233, which further decays into fissile U-233. The discussion emphasizes the advantages of neutron capture over direct ion bombardment for protactinium production.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of nuclear reactions, specifically (alpha, p) reactions.
- Knowledge of thorium isotopes, particularly Th-232 and Th-233.
- Familiarity with neutron capture processes in nuclear physics.
- Basic concepts of radioactive decay, including the decay chains of Pa-233 and U-233.
- Research the mechanisms of (alpha, p) reactions in nuclear physics.
- Study the neutron capture process in Th-232 and its implications for nuclear fuel cycles.
- Explore the decay chain from Th-233 to U-233 and its significance in nuclear energy.
- Investigate the production and applications of fissile materials in nuclear reactors.
Nuclear physicists, researchers in nuclear energy, and professionals involved in the development of thorium-based fuel cycles will benefit from this discussion.
- #2
Astronuc
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If one induces an (alpha, p) reaction, then one could produce Pa. However, it would be much easier to produce Pa with neutron capture in Th-232, which becomes Th-233, which decays to Pa-233, which decays to U-233, which is fissile.edpell said:
See the attached for nuclides of Th, Pa, and U.
