Re: ...ain't it heavy

[Jones Beene]

In the previous piece, I was a bit too hasty (as always) and dependent on supposition for the detail involving the thermal cross-section data. This is not relevant to the main point of the posting, but should be addressed. Obviously giving up a neutron to photofission and recapturing it later, is net zero exchange. Consequently, I have not yet been able to determine exactly why you cannot use 18O (real heavy water) in the CANDU reactors (other than the anecdotal assurance of a retired engineer). If anyone has the correct answer, I would appreciate hearing it.   Jones