CANDU

They still use them in the UK (both MAGOX and AGR) as well as the former USSR
(RBMK).

Silicon moderator probably wouldn't be very good as the best moderators are
elements with a low atomic mass. Silicon would probably be just too heavy to
work well. Even if it does work the reactor is going to be very large.

I have heard that it may be possible to use Magnesium Flouride as a moderator
with natural Uranium although the reactor would probably be rather large.

Zirconium Hydride was proposed for moderating NTR rockets, maybe we could use
Zirconium Deutride instead to allow Natural U to be used.

I have also been thinking about using a *gasp* plastic moderator (would still
require the enrichment), but the low melting point and radiation damage
problems plastics have would make that a bad idea.

--- Bill wrote: