Depleted zinc oxide

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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 64Zn is necessary, because this isotope is transformed into 65Zn by neutron capture. 65Zn with a half-life of 244.26 days emits gamma radiation with 1.115 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 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[edit]

  • Cowan, R. L. (2001). "BWR water chemistry—a delicate balance". Nuclear Energy. 40 (4): 245&ndash, 252. doi:10.1680/nuen.40.4.245.39338.
  1. ^ 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.

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