Reactors for propulsion applications use

Solution (By Examveda Team)

Reactors for propulsion applications refer to nuclear reactors used to power moving systems such as submarines, naval ships, and aircraft carriers. These reactors are designed to produce high power in a compact system that can operate continuously for several years without the need for frequent refueling.

The fuel used in such reactors is a crucial factor because it determines the reactor’s efficiency, lifespan, and safety. In propulsion reactors, the fuel is generally uranium, which may be used in different forms — either as natural uranium or enriched uranium — depending on the specific design and power requirements of the reactor.

1. Natural Uranium:
Natural uranium contains about 0.7% of the fissile isotope U-235 and the rest is mostly U-238. It can be used as fuel in reactors that employ heavy water (D₂O) or graphite as moderators, which allow the chain reaction to be sustained with low enrichment levels. However, for propulsion systems, this type of reactor is generally too large and heavy to be practical, though it is technically possible.

2. Enriched Uranium:
Most naval propulsion reactors (such as those in nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers) use enriched uranium fuel. Enrichment increases the proportion of U-235 (typically 20% or even higher in naval applications), allowing the reactor to be smaller, more efficient, and capable of long-term operation without refueling — an essential feature for submarines that must operate underwater for months or even years at a time.

Therefore, propulsion reactors are designed to operate using any form of uranium fuel depending on their design constraints and performance needs. This flexibility in fuel type ensures adaptability to different reactor designs, ranging from pressurized water reactors (PWRs) to liquid metal–cooled fast reactors used in advanced naval systems.

3. Clarifying the Other Options:
Option A: Natural uranium – While natural uranium can be used in some types of reactors, it is not the most common fuel for propulsion reactors because enriched uranium provides much better efficiency and compactness.

Option B: Molten lead – Molten lead is not a fuel; it is sometimes used as a coolant or heat transfer medium in certain advanced reactor types (like lead-cooled fast reactors), but it does not act as a fissile material.

Option D: Thorium – Thorium is a fertile material, not a fissile one, meaning it must be converted into uranium-233 before it can sustain a chain reaction. It is still in experimental use and not employed in propulsion reactors.

4. Conclusion:
The type of uranium fuel used depends on the reactor’s design and intended performance. Both natural uranium and enriched uranium can be utilized, making the most comprehensive and technically accurate answer:

Option C: Any form of uranium

Hence, for examination and professional understanding, Option C is the correct and most defensible answer.