Re: "Tritium on Ice"

[RuthWeiner@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 10/1/2002 12:43:29 PM Mountain Daylight Time, 

motnivas@yahoo.com writes:



<< D2O and tritium also alter the ability of various

 enzymes to work "normally".  Depending the contration

 and where they are located. >>



"Alter the ability" is a bit vague.  The effect is called the "isotope effect 

on reaction rate" and is a slowing of reaction rate in proportion to the 

square root of the molecular mass.  The only place it makes a notceable 

difference is with isotopically substituted hydrogen compounds.  Thus, for 

water, reaction rates wouold be slowed by SQRT(22/18).



More on tririum:



Tritium is a necessary component of thermonuclear weapons.  The U.S. produced 

tritium at the defense facilities from 1952 on -- for 50 years -- and the 

only difference with using Watts Bar or Sequoyah is that these are commercial 

plants.  So this is in addition to fallout and cosmic ray production.



Tritium is produced by neutron reaction with Li-6 and is trapped as a 

hydride.  Leakage is minimized as much as possible because tritium is the 

product.  Leakage is more likely during the further processing of the 

hydride, but that would not take place at the commercial power plant.



I don't understand why people are suddenly getting unglued about tritium.



Ruth











RuthF. Weiner, Ph. D.

ruthweiner@aol.com

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