Moderator
Moderator
The moderator of a nuclear reactor is a substance that slows down the speed of neutrons produced from fission. By slowing the neutrons down the probability of a neutron interacting with uranium-235 nuclei is greatly increased thereby maintaining the chain reaction.92U235 + 0n1 → 56Ba141 + 36Kr92 + 30n1 + Energy
92U235 + 0n1 → 38Sr95 + 54Xe159 + 20n1 + Energy
In traditional nuclear reactors, the moderator is the same thing as the coolant. When fast neutrons strike the hydrogen atoms in H2O, they slow down a lot. Graphite, heavy water and beryllium are good moderators. When graphite is used as moderator, the reactor is called atomic pile and when heavy water is used as moderator, the reactor is called swimming pool reactor. In atomic piles, a huge block of specially graphite containing holes in which U-rods are inserted, acts as moderators. The absorption of neutrons may occur by Th-232 in atomic piles. It produces fissionable U-233 isotope-
90Th232 + 0n1 → 90Th233 → 91Pa233 + -1e0 → 92U233 + -1e0
In the swimming pool reactor, heavy water is used in tank in which the U-rods are suspended.
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