The efficiency of graphite as a moderator allows the Magnox to run using natural uranium fuel, in contrast with the more common commercial light-water reactor which requires slightly enriched uranium.
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10 Facts About Magnox
2.
The Magnox design was superseded by the Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor, which is similarly cooled but includes changes to improve its economic performance.
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3.
Magnox alloy is reactive with water, which means it cannot be left in a cooling pond after extraction from the reactor for extended periods.
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4.
Magnox design was an evolution and never truly finalised, and later units differ considerably from earlier ones.
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5.
Magnox reactors were considered at the time to have a considerable degree of inherent safety because of their simple design, low power density, and gas coolant.
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6.
North Korea developed their own Magnox reactors, based on the UK design which was made public at an Atoms for Peace conference.
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7.
Magnox is the name of an alloy—mainly of magnesium with small amounts of aluminium and other metals—used in cladding unenriched uranium metal fuel with a non-oxidising covering to contain fission products.
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8.
Magnox fuel incorporated cooling fins to provide maximum heat transfer despite low operating temperatures, making it expensive to produce.
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9.
Magnox fuel was produced at Springfields near Preston; estimated decommissioning cost is £371million.
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10.
The total cost of decommissioning Magnox activities is likely to exceed £20billion, averaging about £2billion per productive reactor site.
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