magnox
/ˈmaɡnɒks
/noun [mass noun]
1A magnesium-based alloy used to enclose uranium fuel elements in some nuclear reactors.The rods, each weighing 12 kg, are bars of uranium metal clad in an outer magnox casing which are placed inside reactors as part of the nuclear fission process that generates heat and ultimately electricity.
1.1 (Magnox) [as modifier] Denoting the first widely used British design of nuclear power station, which used fuel clad with magnox.Unlike more modern stations, Magnox fuel has no other available disposal route than reprocessing because it is clad in magnesium that deteriorates rapidly when the used fuel is cooled in water....
- Spent uranium extracted from so-called Magnox reactors was intended to be reprocessed for use as fuel in Fast Breeder reactors, providing plutonium for weapons and civilian use.
- Recently, British Nuclear Fuels announced that it would be closing six of its Magnox nuclear power stations by 2010.
Origin
1950s: from the phrase mag(nesium) n(o) ox(idation).
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