Why is Capture Gamma-ray Energy Included in Fission Energy?

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
1 reply · 3K views
Stephan_doc
Messages
34
Reaction score
2
Hi all, according to following data pertain to energy release from fission:

Instantaneous Energy from Fission
Kinetic Energy of Fission Products 167 Mev
Energy of Fission Neutrons 5 MeV
Instantaneous Gamma-ray Energy 5 MeV
Capture Gamma-ray Energy 10 MeV
Total Instantaneous Energy 187 MeV
Delayed Energy from Fission
Beta Particles From Fission Products 7 Mev
Gamma-rays from Fission Products 6 MeV
Neutrinos 10 MeV
Total Delayed Energy 23 MeV

i can't understand why Capture Gamma-ray Energy is contained in fission energy.
I know that radiative capture is another nuclear reaction and captures to fissions ratio is
0.175.

Thank a lot
 
Physics news on Phys.org
One accounts for recoverable thermal energy, since that is what must be removed from the core during a steady-state process such that fuel temperature is more or less constant. The energy in neutrinos is not recoverable.

Capture γs are mostly deposited in the fuel. In an LWR, most of the thermal energy is deposited in the ceramic fuel. That thermal energy must pass through the cladding and into the coolant. The coolant carries the thermal energy to a heat exchanger (steam generator) in a PWR, or directly to a steam turbine in a BWR.