Neutron poison: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:16, 15 February 2025

Neutron Poison[edit]

A neutron poison is a substance with a large neutron absorption cross-section, in nuclear physics and nuclear engineering. Neutron poisons are used to control the reactivity of a nuclear reactor by absorbing excess neutrons, thereby reducing the number of neutrons available to sustain the nuclear chain reaction.

Types of Neutron Poisons[edit]

Neutron poisons can be classified into two main categories: burnable poisons and non-burnable poisons.

Burnable Poisons[edit]

Burnable poisons are materials that absorb neutrons and are gradually converted into non-poisonous isotopes. This conversion allows for a more stable and prolonged control of reactivity over the fuel cycle. Common burnable poisons include boron-10 and gadolinium.

Non-Burnable Poisons[edit]

Non-burnable poisons, also known as fixed poisons, do not change significantly over the course of the reactor operation. They are used for long-term reactivity control and include materials such as hafnium and cadmium.

Role in Nuclear Reactors[edit]

Neutron poisons play a crucial role in the safe and efficient operation of nuclear reactors. They are often incorporated into control rods, which can be inserted or withdrawn from the reactor core to adjust the reactivity. Control rods are typically made from materials like silver, indium, and cadmium, which are effective neutron absorbers.

Control Rods[edit]

Control rods are an essential component of a nuclear reactor's safety system. They are designed to absorb neutrons and regulate the fission process. By adjusting the position of the control rods, operators can control the reactor's power output and maintain a stable and safe operating condition.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Neutron poison''' is a term used in [[nuclear physics]] and [[nuclear engineering]] to describe substances that absorb [[neutron]]s in a nuclear reactor. These substances are used to decrease the excess neutrons, control the rate of the [[nuclear chain reaction]], and to shut down the reactor in case of emergency.
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Neutron Poison}}
-== Overview ==
+== Neutron Poison ==
+[[File:Control_rods_schematic.svg|thumb|right|Schematic of control rods in a nuclear reactor.]]
-Neutron poisons, also known as neutron absorbers, play a crucial role in the control of nuclear reactors. They are used to adjust the power output of a reactor, prevent a reactor from going critical, and to shut down a reactor in an emergency situation.
+A '''neutron poison''' is a substance with a large [[neutron absorption]] cross-section, in [[nuclear physics]] and [[nuclear engineering]]. Neutron poisons are used to control the reactivity of a [[nuclear reactor]] by absorbing excess [[neutrons]], thereby reducing the number of neutrons available to sustain the [[nuclear chain reaction]].
 == Types of Neutron Poisons ==
+Neutron poisons can be classified into two main categories: [[burnable poisons]] and [[non-burnable poisons]].
-There are two types of neutron poisons: fixed and burnable.
-=== Fixed Poisons ===
-[[Fixed poisons]] are materials that have a high neutron absorption cross section and are placed in a reactor to balance the excess reactivity. They are not intended to be replaced or moved during the reactor operation. Examples of fixed poisons include [[boron]], [[cadmium]], and [[hafnium]].
 === Burnable Poisons ===
+Burnable poisons are materials that absorb neutrons and are gradually converted into non-poisonous isotopes. This conversion allows for a more stable and prolonged control of reactivity over the fuel cycle. Common burnable poisons include [[boron-10]] and [[gadolinium]].
-[[Burnable poisons]] are materials that absorb neutrons and are converted into isotopes that are not neutron absorbers. They are used to compensate for the excess reactivity of fresh fuel. Examples of burnable poisons include [[gadolinium]], [[samarium]], and [[boron]].
+=== Non-Burnable Poisons ===
+Non-burnable poisons, also known as fixed poisons, do not change significantly over the course of the reactor operation. They are used for long-term reactivity control and include materials such as [[hafnium]] and [[cadmium]].
 == Role in Nuclear Reactors ==
+Neutron poisons play a crucial role in the safe and efficient operation of nuclear reactors. They are often incorporated into [[control rods]], which can be inserted or withdrawn from the reactor core to adjust the reactivity. Control rods are typically made from materials like [[silver]], [[indium]], and [[cadmium]], which are effective neutron absorbers.
-In a nuclear reactor, neutron poisons are used to control the rate of the nuclear chain reaction. They absorb excess neutrons, preventing them from causing further fissions. This helps to maintain the reactor at a steady power level and prevents it from going critical.
+== Control Rods ==
+[[File:Control_rods_schematic.svg|thumb|left|Illustration of control rods in a reactor core.]]
-In addition, neutron poisons are used in emergency shutdown systems (also known as [[SCRAM]] systems) in nuclear reactors. In these systems, a large amount of neutron poison is rapidly introduced into the reactor to absorb a large number of neutrons and quickly stop the chain reaction.
+Control rods are an essential component of a nuclear reactor's safety system. They are designed to absorb neutrons and regulate the fission process. By adjusting the position of the control rods, operators can control the reactor's power output and maintain a stable and safe operating condition.
-== See Also ==
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[Nuclear reactor]]
 * [[Nuclear fission]]
-* [[Nuclear reactor]]
+* [[Neutron absorption]]
-* [[Nuclear chain reaction]]
+* [[Control rod]]
-* [[SCRAM]]
+* [[Burnable poison]]
 [[Category:Nuclear physics]]
-[[Category:Nuclear technology]]
+[[Category:Nuclear engineering]]
-[[Category:Nuclear safety]]
-{{physics-stub}}
-{{nuclear-stub}}