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Chemical Engineering Basics - Engineering

Q1:

CANDU type nuclear reactor using natural uranium as fuel is the extensively used nuclear reactor because of the fact that the

A specific fuel consumption is very low due to the use of heavy water.

B fuel cost is much lower than that used in pressurised water or boiling water reactor.

C heavy water is used both as coolant as well as moderator.

D both 'b' & 'c'

ANS:D - both 'b' & 'c'

The correct option is: "both 'b' & 'c'" CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) type nuclear reactors utilize natural uranium as fuel and heavy water (deuterium oxide) as both coolant and moderator. The extensive use of natural uranium and heavy water offers several advantages:

  • Lower Fuel Cost: Natural uranium is less expensive compared to enriched uranium used in other reactor designs like pressurized water reactors (PWRs) or boiling water reactors (BWRs). This makes the fuel cost lower for CANDU reactors.
  • Low Specific Fuel Consumption: Heavy water (deuterium oxide) is an efficient moderator, allowing CANDU reactors to use natural uranium fuel without the need for enrichment. This results in a low specific fuel consumption, meaning less fuel is required to generate the same amount of energy compared to reactors that use enriched uranium fuel.
  • Dual Function of Heavy Water: In CANDU reactors, heavy water serves the dual purpose of coolant and moderator. As a coolant, it transfers heat away from the reactor core, and as a moderator, it slows down neutrons, facilitating the fission process.
Therefore, the use of natural uranium as fuel, combined with heavy water as both coolant and moderator, contributes to the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of CANDU reactors, making them extensively used in certain regions.