- #1
snorkack
- 2,192
- 480
How useful are reactors cooled by gallium alloys?
Ga has cross section for neutrons of 2,9 barns. Somewhat high - but K has 2,1 barns, and NaK is mostly (76 %) K.
Pure Ga melts under +30 Celsius. The reactor may freeze - but it is much easier to melt than Pb/Bi eutectic (+125 Celsius).
Ga melting point can be further lowered by alloying. While In, Cd and Hg are neutron poisons, the other low melting metals are reasonable - Pb, Bi, also Sn (0,62 barns) and Zn (1,1 barns).
Would a reactor with Ga-Sn coolant be convenient to handle? Ga/Sn melt is nowhere as reactive as Na/K melt, and also not poisonous until irradiated...
Ga has cross section for neutrons of 2,9 barns. Somewhat high - but K has 2,1 barns, and NaK is mostly (76 %) K.
Pure Ga melts under +30 Celsius. The reactor may freeze - but it is much easier to melt than Pb/Bi eutectic (+125 Celsius).
Ga melting point can be further lowered by alloying. While In, Cd and Hg are neutron poisons, the other low melting metals are reasonable - Pb, Bi, also Sn (0,62 barns) and Zn (1,1 barns).
Would a reactor with Ga-Sn coolant be convenient to handle? Ga/Sn melt is nowhere as reactive as Na/K melt, and also not poisonous until irradiated...