I've been reading a bit about Chernobyl and nuclear power lately, and a
few thoughts came to mind.
As I understand it, the temperatures that reactors can reach are limited
by the fact that refractory materials don't have suitable nuclear
properties. So, e.g., the cladding of the fuel rods is made with
something like zirconium instead of tungsten. But has anyone thought to
follow the reactor with coal heat to boost the water/gas temperature?
Towards the end of the fuel cycle in a water moderated reactor, has
anyone thought to replace some of the control rods with "reactivity
rods" of graphite or beryllium to extend the fuel cycle by removing some
of the absorption of the water they displace while still effectively
moderating the neutrons?
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