HP3000-L Archives

November 2002, Week 4

HP3000-L@RAVEN.UTC.EDU

Options: Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Gavin Scott <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Gavin Scott <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 26 Nov 2002 08:13:11 -0800
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (23 lines)
Duane writes:
> BTW - with regard to nuclear reactor issues it's always best
> to remember this one simple fact:
>
> "You can't add too much water"

Off the top of my head, IIRC, the hydrogen in water acts as a moderator
to slow down the high-energy neutrons produced by fission to allow them
a *greater* chance of initiating fission (sustaining the chain reaction)
in other uranium atoms.  So apart from its cooling and shielding
effects, water is not necessarily a good thing in this case.

The neutron absorbing control rods are inserted into the reactor to
reduce the neutron flux below the level at which a chain reaction can be
sustained.

Or did I just make all this up?

G. "The control rods go in"

* To join/leave the list, search archives, change list settings, *
* etc., please visit http://raven.utc.edu/archives/hp3000-l.html *

ATOM RSS1 RSS2