A nuclear power reactor delivers 1000MW of electrical power continuously. Its overall efficiency (from nuclear heat to electricity) is 30%. The reactor uses 235U as the fissile material, with 200MeV released per fission. Use NA=6.022×1023mol−1 and 1eV=1.6×10−19J.
(i) Determine the thermal power that must be produced in the reactor core.
(ii) Calculate the number of fission events occurring per second to sustain this thermal power.
(iii) Find the mass of 235U consumed in one day of continuous operation.
(iv) If the reactor core initially contains 100t of 235U in its fuel assemblies, estimate the percentage of fuel burnt up in one year (365 days).