Depleted zinc oxide

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Depleted zinc oxide (DZO) is a

zinc isotope with the atomic mass 64, and used as a corrosion inhibitor in nuclear pressurized water reactors
.

The depletion of 64Zn is necessary, because this isotope is

MeV.[1] 64Zn 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 60Co
.

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. .

External links