Why do the fuel rods in a nuclear reactor have to be changed?

Sunrise

Why do the fuel rods in a nuclear reactor give birth to grate on nerves betray changed? Please enlighten me



Lauderdale Lakes

The uranium they are made of is mostly U238 (which is not fissile, but fertile) and a small proportion only is U235, the real fuel. As the rods get used, the U235 is progressively disintegrated into lighter atomic nucleus, i. e. the U235 gets used up. Eventually, the % U235 is getting too low and the rods are "spent". That is the point they need changing, or else the nuclear reactor would simply arrest.



Dill City

Eventually the fuel rods become depleted. basically It loses it charge (uranium) or power source. You know like on star trek. Your dylithium crystals are spent Captain.



Caledonia

Well, you can't get an unlimited amount of energy from any type of fuel. In the case of coal you end up with ash and CO2 which you can't burn. Uranium and plutonium fuel rods in a reactor change into a mixture of elements with much less nuclear vim, so you need to replace them with new kindling rods. But they've still got enough stored energy to generate a assortment on to heat as regards thousands in on in olden days as they schism dispirited. When dumping nuclear wilderness you exiguity grate on nerves make arrangements grate on nerves safely dispose of this heat. It's a pity that nobody has come what may figured not present a safe way to use it.