View source for Neutron moderator

 [[Category:Done 2015-07-24]]
<onlyinclude>'''Neutron moderators''' are a type of material in a [[nuclear reactor]] that work to slow down the fast [[neutron]]s produced by [[fission]] to make them more effective in the [[fission chain reaction]]. This slowing or [[moderation]] of the neutrons allows them to be more easily absorbed by [[fissile]] [[nucleus|nuclei]], creating more fission events.</onlyinclude>

Materials used for moderation are chosen as they have a very specific set of properties. First, a moderator cannot absorb neutrons itself. This means that the moderator should have a ''low'' [[neutron absorption]] cross-section. However, the moderator should be able to slow down neutrons to an acceptable speed. Thus, in an ideal moderator the [[neutron scattering]] cross-section is high.<ref name="RE1">University of Cambridge. (July 3, 2015). ''Moderators'' [Online]. Available: http://www.doitpoms.ac.uk/tlplib/nuclear_materials/moderators.php</ref> This neutron scattering is a measure of how likely a neutron is to interact with an atom of the moderator. If the collisions between neutrons and nuclei are seen as an elastic collision, it means that the closer in size the nucleus of an atom is to a neutron, the more the neutron will be slowed. For this reason, lighter elements tend to be more efficient moderators.<ref name="RE1"/> The table below shows that common moderators have a low neutron absorption cross-section but a comparatively large neutron scattering cross-section.

<center>
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Properties of Common Neutron Moderators <ref>J. C. Bryan, in Introduction to Nuclear Science, Boca Raton, CRC Press, 2009, p. 161.</ref>
|-
!  !! Neutron scattering cross <br/>section (σ<sub>s</sub>) in barns !! Neutron absorption cross <br/> section (σ<sub>s</sub>) in barns
|-
| Light water (H<sub>2</sub>O) || 49 || 0.66
|-
| Heavy water (D<sub>2</sub>O) || 10.6 || 0.0013
|-
| Graphite (C) || 4.7 || 0.0035
|}
</center>

==Types of Moderating Materials==
There are several different types of moderating materials, and each have places where they are used more effectively. Typically-used moderator materials include [[heavy water]], [[light water]], and [[graphite]]. The relative properties of these materials are compared below. The moderators vary in terms of their moderating abilities, as well as in their costs.


===Light water===
Light water is used in many reactors because it contains large amounts of [[hydrogen]]. Hydrogen works well as a [[neutron]] moderator because its mass is almost identical to that of a neutron. This means that one collision will significantly reduce the speed of neutron because of the laws of conservation of energy and momentum.<ref name="RE1"/> Additionally, light water is abundant and fairly inexpensive. One drawback is that hydrogen has a relatively high neutron absorption cross-section because of its ability to form deuterium. Thus light water can only be used as a moderator along with enriched [[fuel]]s. Reactors that use light water are known as '''light water reactors''' and include the [[pressurized water reactor]] (PWR), the [[boiling water reactor]] (BWR), and the [[supercritical water cooled reactor]] (SCWR).

===Heavy water===
Heavy water is used in reactors because it has similar benefits to light water, but since it already contains deuterium atoms it has a comparatively low absorption cross section. Along with this there is a possibility that an additional neutron might be removed from the deuterium with a collision because of the fast neutrons' energy.<ref name="RE1"/> The main disadvantage to the use of heavy water is its high cost of production, as it is made using the Girder-Sulfide process. Reactors that use heavy water include the [[CANDU]] designs and the [[pressurized heavy water reactor]].

===Graphite===
Graphite has been a popular moderator in the past, however one drawback is that it needs to be extremely pure to be effective. Graphite can be made artificially using [[boron]] electrodes, however during this process it is possible for the boron to "poison" the graphite if even a small amount of contamination occurs as boron is a very good neutron absorber.<ref name="RE1"/> One benefit of graphite is that even at the high purity that are necessary for graphite to perform well, it is available at a fairly low price.<ref name=ehow> Neha Tripathi. (July 6, 2015). ''Properties of Moderators'' [Online]. Available:http://www.ehow.com/info_8081358_properties-moderators-nuclear-reactors.html</ref> Additionally, graphite is a good moderator as it is thermally stable and conducts heat well. However, at high temperatures the graphite can react with oxygen and carbon dioxide in the reactor and this decreases its effectiveness. Another potential issue with using graphite as a moderator is its ability to oxidize in the presence of air, and its low strength and density which could cause it to change dimensions in the reactor.<ref name=ehow/>

Reactors that use graphite moderator include the [[RBMK]], [[pebble bed reactor]]s, and the [[magnox]] reactor. 

==Alternatives==
Nuclear reactors can be either '''thermal''' or '''fast'''. Currently, almost all operating reactors are thermal and thus require a moderator to slow down fast neutrons to the thermal level so that nuclear fission can continue.<ref name=fast>What is Nuclear? (July 6, 2015). ''Fast Reactor'' [Online]. Available: http://www.whatisnuclear.com/articles/fast_reactor.html</ref> However, in fast reactors a moderator is not needed, and the neutrons within it move much more quickly. Fast reactors are beneficial as they enhance the sustainability of nuclear power as they get more neutrons out of their fuel, they can transform nuclear waste into products that decay more quickly, and they respond better to potentially catastrophic equipment failures. However, they are more expensive, and they can overheat fairly easily.<ref name=fast/>

==References==
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