Articulatory phonetics: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:18, 11 February 2025

Type of nuclear reactor

Aqueous homogeneous reactors (AHRs) are a type of nuclear reactor in which the nuclear fuel is dissolved in water, forming a homogeneous solution. This design contrasts with other reactor types where the fuel is in solid form. AHRs are a subset of homogeneous reactors, which are characterized by having the fuel and moderator mixed together in a single phase.

Design and Operation

Aqueous homogeneous reactors typically use uranium or plutonium salts dissolved in water as the fuel. The water acts both as a neutron moderator and a coolant. The reactor core is essentially a tank filled with this solution, and the nuclear reaction occurs throughout the entire volume of the solution.

The homogeneous nature of the fuel solution allows for a uniform distribution of the nuclear reaction, which can lead to more efficient use of the fuel. The reactor is usually operated at low pressures and temperatures compared to other reactor types, which can simplify the design and reduce the risk of certain types of accidents.

Advantages

Aqueous homogeneous reactors have several advantages:

Simplicity of Design: The lack of solid fuel elements simplifies the reactor design and eliminates the need for complex fuel fabrication processes.
Efficient Fuel Use: The homogeneous mixture allows for a more complete burn-up of the nuclear fuel, potentially reducing waste.
Ease of Refueling: The liquid fuel can be easily processed and refueled without the need to shut down the reactor.

Disadvantages

Despite their advantages, AHRs also have significant challenges:

Corrosion: The presence of water and dissolved salts can lead to corrosion of reactor components.
Radiolysis: The interaction of radiation with water can produce gases such as hydrogen and oxygen, which need to be managed to prevent explosive mixtures.
Limited Power Output: AHRs are generally limited to low power outputs, making them unsuitable for large-scale power generation.

Applications

Aqueous homogeneous reactors have been used primarily for research purposes and the production of medical isotopes. Their ability to produce a high neutron flux in a small volume makes them ideal for these applications.

History

The concept of homogeneous reactors dates back to the early days of nuclear research. The first AHRs were developed in the 1940s and 1950s as part of the Manhattan Project and subsequent research programs. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in the United States was a key site for the development and testing of these reactors.

Gallery

Aqueous homogeneous reactor at ORNL
Cutaway view of a homogeneous reactor

Related pages

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-'''Articulatory phonetics''' is a subfield of [[phonetics]] that deals with the physical process of producing [[speech sounds]]. It focuses on how the parts of the [[human body]] work together to produce sounds that form languages. This field examines the role of various [[articulators]] in the [[vocal tract]], including the [[tongue]], [[lips]], [[teeth]], and [[palate]], in shaping the airflow to generate distinct sounds. Understanding articulatory phonetics is crucial for linguists, language teachers, speech therapists, and anyone interested in the mechanics of speech.
+{{Short description|Type of nuclear reactor}}
+{{Nuclear technology}}
-==Overview==
+'''Aqueous homogeneous reactors''' (AHRs) are a type of [[nuclear reactor]] in which the nuclear fuel is dissolved in water, forming a homogeneous solution. This design contrasts with other reactor types where the fuel is in solid form. AHRs are a subset of [[homogeneous reactors]], which are characterized by having the fuel and moderator mixed together in a single phase.
-Articulatory phonetics is concerned with the categorization and description of speech sounds based on how they are produced. Sounds in languages are made by controlling the flow of air from the lungs and manipulating it as it passes through the vocal tract. The primary focus is on identifying the active and passive articulators involved in sound production, the type of constriction, and the location of that constriction within the vocal tract.
-==Articulators==
+==Design and Operation==
-The main articulators include:
+Aqueous homogeneous reactors typically use [[uranium]] or [[plutonium]] salts dissolved in water as the fuel. The water acts both as a [[neutron moderator]] and a coolant. The reactor core is essentially a tank filled with this solution, and the nuclear reaction occurs throughout the entire volume of the solution.
-* [[Lips]]: Used to produce bilabial and labiodental sounds.
-* [[Teeth]]: Involved in dental sounds.
-* [[Alveolar ridge]]: The ridge just behind the teeth, important for alveolar sounds.
-* [[Palate]]: The hard and soft palate are involved in palatal sounds.
-* [[Velum]]: The soft part of the palate that can open or close the nasal passage.
-* [[Glottis]]: The space between the vocal cords, crucial for voicing.
-==Types of Constriction==
+The homogeneous nature of the fuel solution allows for a uniform distribution of the nuclear reaction, which can lead to more efficient use of the fuel. The reactor is usually operated at low pressures and temperatures compared to other reactor types, which can simplify the design and reduce the risk of certain types of accidents.
-Speech sounds are categorized based on the type of constriction made by the articulators:
-* [[Stop consonants]]: Complete closure in the vocal tract.
-* [[Fricatives]]: Narrow constriction that causes turbulent airflow.
-* [[Approximants]]: Articulators are close but not close enough to cause turbulence.
-* [[Nasals]]: The velum is lowered, allowing air to escape through the nose.
-==Places of Articulation==
+==Advantages==
-The place of articulation refers to where in the vocal tract the constriction occurs. Common places include:
+Aqueous homogeneous reactors have several advantages:
-* [[Bilabial]]: Both lips.
+* '''Simplicity of Design''': The lack of solid fuel elements simplifies the reactor design and eliminates the need for complex fuel fabrication processes.
-* [[Labiodental]]: Lower lip and upper teeth.
+* '''Efficient Fuel Use''': The homogeneous mixture allows for a more complete burn-up of the nuclear fuel, potentially reducing waste.
-* [[Dental]]: Tongue and teeth.
+* '''Ease of Refueling''': The liquid fuel can be easily processed and refueled without the need to shut down the reactor.
-* [[Alveolar]]: Tongue and alveolar ridge.
-* [[Palatal]]: Tongue and hard palate.
-* [[Velar]]: Tongue and soft palate (velum).
-* [[Glottal]]: At the glottis.
-==Voicing==
+==Disadvantages==
-Voicing is determined by the behavior of the vocal cords:
+Despite their advantages, AHRs also have significant challenges:
-* [[Voiced sounds]]: Vocal cords vibrate.
+* '''Corrosion''': The presence of water and dissolved salts can lead to corrosion of reactor components.
-* [[Voiceless sounds]]: Vocal cords do not vibrate.
+* '''Radiolysis''': The interaction of radiation with water can produce gases such as hydrogen and oxygen, which need to be managed to prevent explosive mixtures.
+* '''Limited Power Output''': AHRs are generally limited to low power outputs, making them unsuitable for large-scale power generation.
 ==Applications==
-Articulatory phonetics has applications in various fields:
+Aqueous homogeneous reactors have been used primarily for research purposes and the production of medical isotopes. Their ability to produce a high neutron flux in a small volume makes them ideal for these applications.
-* [[Linguistics]]: Helps in the analysis and classification of speech sounds.
-* [[Speech therapy]]: Understanding of articulatory processes can aid in diagnosing and treating speech disorders.
-* [[Language education]]: Teachers use knowledge of articulation to help students acquire new sounds in a foreign language.
-==See Also==
+==History==
-* [[Acoustic phonetics]]
+The concept of homogeneous reactors dates back to the early days of nuclear research. The first AHRs were developed in the 1940s and 1950s as part of the [[Manhattan Project]] and subsequent research programs. The [[Oak Ridge National Laboratory]] (ORNL) in the United States was a key site for the development and testing of these reactors.
-* [[Auditory phonetics]]
-* [[Phonology]]
-[[Category:Linguistics]]
+==Gallery==
-[[Category:Phonetics]]
+<gallery>
-{{Linguistics-stub}}
+File:Aqueous_homogeneous_reactor_at_ORNL.jpg|Aqueous homogeneous reactor at ORNL
+File:Homogeneous_reactor_cut_away.jpg|Cutaway view of a homogeneous reactor
+</gallery>
+==Related pages==
+* [[Nuclear reactor]]
+* [[Neutron moderator]]
+* [[Nuclear fuel]]
+* [[Oak Ridge National Laboratory]]
+[[Category:Nuclear reactors]]
+[[Category:Nuclear technology]]