Sentences with phrase «fissile atoms»

Fuel atoms and coolant atoms are mixed on the atomic scale, and I see no way to rapidly eject the coolant atoms and concentrate the fissile atoms.

While fast reactors are up to 200x more resource efficient, they require 3x or more fissile atoms to start up initially.

When the nucleus of a fissile atom is hit by a neutron, especially a slow - moving one, it will most likely cleave (fission), releasing substantial amounts of energy and several other neutrons.

Not exact matches

It is also said to be «fertile,» because when a uranium 238 atom absorbs a neutron without splitting, it transmutes into plutonium 239, which, like uranium 235, is fissile and can sustain a chain reaction.

Reactors around the world require their fuel to hold anywhere from 3 to 5 percent U235, or 30 to 50 atoms of the fissile isotope per 1,000 atoms of uranium.