Depleted zinc oxide (DZO) is a zinc oxide depleted in the zinc isotope with the atomic mass 64, and used as a corrosion inhibitor in nuclear pressurized water reactors.
The depletion of Zn is necessary, because this isotope is transformed into Zn by neutron capture. Zn with a half-life of 244.26 days emits gamma radiation with 1.115 MeV. Zn has a natural abundance of 48.6%, but in DZO it is reduced below 1%. Adding zinc oxide to the primary water loop of a boiling water reactor or pressurized water nuclear reactor reduces corrosion and therefore minimizes the amount of dissolved materials, especially Co.
The isotope separation of zinc is done by gas centrifugation of diethylzinc.
References
- Cowan, R. L. (2001). "BWR water chemistry—a delicate balance". Nuclear Energy. 40 (4): 245–252. doi:10.1680/nuen.40.4.245.39338.
- Roost, E.; Funck, E.; Spernol, A.; Vaninbroukx, R. (1972). "The decay of 65Zn". Zeitschrift für Physik. 250 (5): 395. Bibcode:1972ZPhy..250..395D. doi:10.1007/BF01379752. S2CID 124728537.
External links
- "Depleted Zinc Isotopes". tracesciences.com. Archived from the original on 2009-07-10. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
- "Depleted Zinc for the Nuclear Industry" (PDF). Nukem. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
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