The
Light Water Reactor is both cooled and moderated by purified ordinary
water. While heavy wateer, rgat is water that contains a large amoumy
of Duterium is a better moderator than Light Water, it is far more
expensive to produce. Moderators determine how much U-235 is required
to start a chain reaction. A reactor that is moderated by heavy water
or graphite can produce a chain reaction in purified Uranium, while a
light water reactor requires uranium enriched to 3% U-235. The
enrichment lecel can actually be lower, but this requires more frequent
refulings.
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