Heavy water reactor

Heavy water reactors use heavy water as a neutron moderator. Heavy water is deuterium oxide, D₂O. Neutrons in a nuclear reactor that uses uranium must be slowed down so that they are more likely to split other atoms and get more neutrons released to split other atoms. Light water can be used, as in a light water reactor, but since it absorbs neutrons the uranium must be enriched for criticality to be possible. The most common pressurised heavy water reactor is the CANDU reactor.

Proponents of heavy water reactors suggest that because such reactors can be fueled with unenriched uranium there is less risk of nuclear proliferation; an ideal product to be marketed to nations that have no legitimate use for uranium enrichment facilities. While there is no need for fuel enrichment, heavy water reactors produce more plutonium and tritium as a by-products of normal use, which both can be used in nuclear weaponry. India produced its plutonium for Operation Smiling Buddha, its first nuclear weapon test from plutonium extracted from a CIRUS reactor. Heavy water reactors require a set of safeguards to prevent their exploitation in such a fashion. Both plutonium and tritium are hazardous substances, albeit from totally orders.

The reactors are used in nuclear power plants to produce nuclear power from nuclear fuel.

ee also

*NRX
*CIRUS
*MIT Nuclear Research Reactor
*CANDU