Home » Mechanical Engineering » IC Engines and Nuclear Power Plants

Thorium fuel cycle: production pathway of U-233 How is fissile U-233 obtained in reactor systems? Choose the correct option.

Difficulty: Easy

Produced artificially (generic statement)
Used as a basic raw material in nature
Produced when thorium is irradiated by neutrons
Produced by fission of U-238

Correct Answer: Produced when thorium is irradiated by neutrons

Explanation:

Concept
Thorium-232 absorbs a neutron → Th-233 → β-decay → Pa-233 → β-decay → U-233 (fissile). Thus, U-233 is bred from thorium under neutron irradiation.

Why others are incorrect
U-233 is not a naturally abundant basic raw material; U-238 fission does not produce U-233 (U-238 primarily captures to Pu-239 via Np-239).

Final Answer
Produced when thorium is irradiated by neutrons

← Previous Question Next Question→

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Join Discussion

Thorium fuel cycle: production pathway of U-233 How is fissile U-233 obtained in reactor systems? Choose the correct option.

More Questions from IC Engines and Nuclear Power Plants

Discussion & Comments