Name: Limitations of Using Solar Energy
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 6 min 54 s
Description: The solar energy systems are basically cost-effective, weather-dependent, use a lot of space, and are associated with some pollution. Watch this video to exp...

Question

Draw a diagram of a fission reactor explaining the role of  (a) fuel rods, (b) control rods and (c) moderator.

Accepted Answer

The block diagram of a typical nuclear reactor is given below.

(a) fuel rods

The purpose of the fuel rod is to keep the fuel in a well-defined geometry and to provide the first barrier separating the fission products from the environment.

The processed uranium is packed into small ceramic pellets and stacked together into sealed metal tubes called fuel rods. Inside the reactor vessel, the fuel rods are immersed in water which acts as both a coolant and moderator.

(b) Control rods

A control rod is a device that is used to absorb neutrons so that the nuclear chain reaction taking place within the reactor core can be slowed down or stopped completely by inserting the rods further, or accelerated by removing them slightly.Essentially, control rods provide real-time control of the fission process, ensuring that it remains active while preventing it from accelerating out of control.

(c) Moderator

A moderator is a material used in a nuclear reactor to slow down the neutrons produced from fission. Since high energy fast neutrons have less probability to interact with the fuel, by slowing the neutrons down the probability of a neutron interacting with $U - 235$ nuclei is greatly increased thereby maintaining the chain reaction. Graphite, Beryllium, water or heavy water are used as moderators.

Draw a diagram of a fission reactor explaining the role of (a) fuel rods, (b) control rods and (c) moderator.

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