The Iranians claim that they are pursuing enriched uranium for peaceful purposes. While I doubt that is why they are, is it possible?
Weapons grade Uranium can be used in a Fast Neutron Reactor.
Low enriched Uranium can be used in a Light Water Reactor
Slightly enriched Uranium can be used in Heavy Water Reactor
Yep, enriched uranium is used in nuclear power plants. *
However, I seriously doubt that nuclear power is the only reason Iran is pursuing the program.
Slee
- I see I was beaten to the link…
Is there an advantage, output wise, of wanting a Fast Neutron Reactor, over the others?
In other words, if Iran just wants nuclear reactors for electrical power generation, wouldn’t the Light or Heavy Water Reactors be just as good? They seem to already be at this stage, why push ahead?
Exactly my thought. Can they make the “Aw shucks, we want to make a better reactor” argument with a straight face?
The trouble with a heavy water reactor is that it produces Plutonium as a by product.
Big deal. I’m sure that they have no use for all that plutonium anyway.
So, is Iran saying that they want Fast Breeder Reactors to be able to use this plutonium byproduct of their heavy water reactors?
Yes they can argue that they are after only peaceful uses. No you can not likely prove otherwise. Your evidence will be circumstantial . However Bushes threshold for proof is very very low.