Home » Mechanical Engineering » IC Engines and Nuclear Power Plants

Primary fuel used in nuclear power plants (common fissile) Identify the principal fissile fuel widely used to sustain the chain reaction in thermal power reactors. Choose the correct option.

Difficulty: Easy

U-235
U-238
Pu-239
Pu-233

Correct Answer: U-235

Explanation:

Concept
U-235 is the naturally occurring fissile isotope (≈0.7% in natural uranium) and is the primary fuel in many light-water reactors (enriched). U-238 is fertile (captures to Pu-239), while Pu-239 is fissile but generally bred and used in MOX; Pu-233 is uncommon.

Final Answer
U-235

← Previous Question Next Question→

More Questions from IC Engines and Nuclear Power Plants

Effect of coolant temperature on knocking tendency in a petrol (SI) engine How does increasing the cooling-water temperature influence the knocking tendency in a spark-ignition petrol engine? Choose the correct option.
Terminology in SI engines: identify whether “detonation” is also called knocking or pinking. Statement to evaluate: “The detonation phenomenon is also referred to as engine knocking or pinking.” Choose whether the statement is correct.
Knock rating reference fuels for spark-ignition engines: choose the correct pair used to define the octane scale. Context: Knock intensity in SI engines is calibrated using blends of two standard reference fuels. Select the correct pair that forms the basis of the octane number scale.
Valve positions during compression in a four-stroke petrol engine: evaluate the statement. Statement: “During the compression stroke the charge is compressed when both the inlet and exhaust valves are closed.” Choose whether the statement is correct.
Use of ordinary (light) water as a reactor moderator with enriched uranium fuel: evaluate the statement. Statement: “Ordinary water is sometimes used as a moderator when enriched uranium is used as fuel in nuclear power plants.” Choose whether the statement is correct.
Purpose of supercharging an engine: select the most complete objective. Context: Supercharging increases intake air density for higher specific output. Choose the correct statement describing why engines are supercharged.
Key requirement of a good I.C. engine combustion chamber: choose the best criterion. Select the most appropriate characteristic of a well-designed combustion chamber.
Diesel ignition delay terminology: identify the correct name for the interval between injection and ignition. Definition prompt: In a CI (diesel) engine, the time between start of injection and actual start of combustion is called what?
Typical diesel injection pressure: choose the closest standard value. Select the approximate fuel injection pressure used in conventional diesel engines.
Secondary (bred) nuclear fuels used in power reactors: select the correct pair. Definition: “Secondary fuel” refers to fissile material bred from fertile isotopes inside reactors. Choose the correct pair commonly identified as secondary fuels.

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Join Discussion