Nuclear Power: Small Modular Reactors (Narration Only)
Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur
00:00
The Differences Between Light Water and Heavy Water Reactors
Light water reactors use heavy water as a coolant and moderator. Heavy water is 11% higher than normal water, it turns to ice at 4 Celsius or 39 Fahrenheit,. It's not cheap though, but the trade-off is that you can use natural uranium unenriched in a light water reactor - which needs some enrichment for SMR designs. The other well-known SMR is the 470 megawatt reactor Rolls Royces developing.
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