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Examoogle • User • info@examoogle.com • EE-2024-8821
Chapter 1 of 12 • Page 1 of 248🔒 Protected PDF • Watermarked
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Which is the most commonly used nuclear fuel in boiling water reactor?
Enriched uranium
Plutonium
Natural uranium
Monazite sand
Enriched uranium
Quick Summary: Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) require nuclear fuel that has a higher concentration of the fissile isotope U-235 to sustain a chain reaction effectively within a light-water moderator. Naturally occurring uranium contains only about 0.7% U-235, which is insufficient for the criticality requirements of a standard BWR, necessitating the use of enriched uranium (typically 3-5% U-235).
Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) require nuclear fuel that has a higher concentration of the fissile isotope U-235 to sustain a chain reaction effectively within a light-water moderator. Naturally occurring uranium contains only about 0.7% U-235, which is insufficient for the criticality requirements of a standard BWR, necessitating the use of enriched uranium (typically 3-5% U-235).
Nenrichment=N235+N238N235 — represents the isotopic concentration ratio in fuel rods
In a BWR, water acts as both the coolant and the moderator to thermalize neutrons. Because light water absorbs neutrons, natural uranium cannot maintain a self-sustaining chain reaction. By using enriched uranium, the neutron economy is improved, allowing the fission process to generate sufficient heat to boil water directly into steam for driving the turbine.
BWRs use light water as a moderator and coolant.
Enrichment increases the fissile U-235 content to offset neutron absorption by light water.
Fuel is typically in the form of UO2 (uranium dioxide) ceramic pellets.
Higher power density compared to natural uranium reactors.
Direct steam cycle simplifies the plant design by eliminating the steam generator.
Requires complex and expensive uranium enrichment facilities.
Increased risk of fuel cladding corrosion at high burnup rates.
Base load power generation in electrical grids.
Large-scale commercial nuclear electricity production.
Natural uranium is primarily used in PHWR (Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor) designs like CANDU, which use heavy water to minimize neutron absorption.
Monazite sand is an ore of thorium/rare earths, not a direct fuel for standard light water reactors.
Plutonium is generally used in MOX (Mixed Oxide) fuel, not as the primary standard fuel in a typical BWR.
A is correct — Enriched uranium is the fuel of choice for Boiling Water Reactors because it provides the necessary fissile concentration to sustain a chain reaction in the presence of light water moderation.
Always remember: Light Water Reactors (PWR/BWR) require Enriched Uranium, while Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) can operate using Natural Uranium due to the lower neutron absorption cross-section of heavy water.