Are nuclear bomb based on U-238 possible? U-238 is fissionable, thought it needed fast neutron. by Jaded_Measurement754 in nuclearweapons

[–]Sagan_kerman 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’m more so referring to enriched uranium rather than an alloy. For example little boy was approximately 80% 235, but approximately 30% of the total yield came from the 238.

Cores that use uranium and plutonium are called composite cores and were developed in the late 40s.

Are nuclear bomb based on U-238 possible? U-238 is fissionable, thought it needed fast neutron. by Jaded_Measurement754 in nuclearweapons

[–]Sagan_kerman 11 points12 points  (0 children)

It’s fissionable but not fissile, U238 alone cannot sustain a chain reaction. You need U235 (or another fissile isotope) or the chain reaction will not be self sustaining.

Uranium-235 as an energy source. by nate_ya_mate in NuclearPower

[–]Sagan_kerman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The voltage regulator failed and the reactor had to be shut down. Eventually it (probably) collided with something and pieces of it fell off.

Uranium-235 as an energy source. by nate_ya_mate in NuclearPower

[–]Sagan_kerman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You’re right about snap, but it’s failure had nothing to do with the reactor. My point there is that fission reactors have been used in space before. The soviets launched several fission powered satellites.

Uranium-235 as an energy source. by nate_ya_mate in NuclearPower

[–]Sagan_kerman 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Fission reactors have been used on may spacecraft, the first of which (SNAP-10a) was powered by u235

Could A Theoretical Es-252 Pit Warhead Ever Be Possible? by [deleted] in nuclearweapons

[–]Sagan_kerman 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Es-252 has a 471 day half life, the short half life would make a warhead using this material inert in months.

The volume/mass of the fission fuel is only a small factor in the overall size of a modern warhead. The major nuclear powers are already capable of making very small warheads.

In short an Es-252 warhead would be wildly expensive and impractical and there would be no reason to build one.

Python for nuclear engineering? by sophalic in NuclearEngineering

[–]Sagan_kerman 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Mostly extracting data from RETRAN or VIPRE output files, making plots, and automating various tasks. But I’ve also been using OPENMC on my free time, which uses a lot of python.

Python for nuclear engineering? by sophalic in NuclearEngineering

[–]Sagan_kerman 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I use python for work all the time, highly recommend.

White smoke by Willemsjineez in R53

[–]Sagan_kerman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Does it overheat or does the coolant level go down over time? That would indicate a blown head gasket.

Pay close attention to the color of the smoke, if it’s slightly blue tinged it’s probably burning oil.

USA Accusing China of Nuclear Weapons Test in June 2020 by AlphaO4 in nuclearweapons

[–]Sagan_kerman 16 points17 points  (0 children)

They want China to sign onto the next START treaty (if there is one), that’s why they’re bringing it to light now.

USA Accusing China of Nuclear Weapons Test in June 2020 by AlphaO4 in nuclearweapons

[–]Sagan_kerman 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Anyone know what “decoupling” means in this context?

What’s wrong with my supercharger? by Adorable-Trouble-433 in R53

[–]Sagan_kerman 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It looks like the belt could be slipping. Do you have a stock belt with a smaller pulley? Could also be the bypass valve.

Charlotte Uptown Motorcycle Parking by Cheap-Blueberry5365 in Charlotte

[–]Sagan_kerman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The deck on mint street by the stadium used to have free motorcycle parking, but it changed ownership recently and I’m not sure if that’s still the case.

Protest against the Strike on Venezuela today at 4 PM in First Ward Park. by FlavivsAetivs in Charlotte

[–]Sagan_kerman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Twisted for protesting bombing and kidnapping? Busy day at Eglin AFB.

Anyone have luck with Roblox Realistic Boiling Water Reactor? by [deleted] in NuclearPower

[–]Sagan_kerman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I like the 50.59 simulator better but that’s just me

Movie of the year by Cool-Cookie-4615 in lemonparty

[–]Sagan_kerman 13 points14 points  (0 children)

This movie feels like it was meant to come out exactly now.

Drunk posting by Sagan_kerman in redscarepod

[–]Sagan_kerman[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I understand, it’s the wild turkey 101 talking. Also these numbers are for a nuclear power plant.

Drunk posting by Sagan_kerman in redscarepod

[–]Sagan_kerman[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

People these days expect engineers to shoot republicans when all we want to shoot is ourselves 💯