Yes, uranium-238 (U-238) can be used in nuclear fission, although it is not a fissile isotope itself. U-238 is a fertile isotope, meaning it can undergo a neutron capture reaction and be transformed into a fissile isotope, such as plutonium-239 (Pu-239). Pu-239 is capable of sustaining a self-sustaining chain reaction.
To utilize U-238 for nuclear fission, a breeder reactor can be employed. In a breeder reactor, U-238 is bombarded with neutrons, and through a series of neutron capture and beta decay processes, it is converted into Pu-239. The Pu-239 can then be extracted and used as fuel in nuclear reactors or potentially in nuclear weapons.
One example of a breeder reactor that has been built is the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) located in the United States. EBR-II successfully demonstrated the ability to breed new fissile material while simultaneously producing energy. It operated from 1964 to 1994 and played a significant role in advancing breeder reactor technology.
It's worth noting that the use of breeder reactors and U-238 for nuclear fission is a complex and challenging process. Breeder reactors require careful management of the neutron spectrum, control of the breeding ratio, and appropriate fuel reprocessing techniques. Additionally, there are considerations regarding the proliferation risk associated with the production of fissile materials.
Currently, the commercial nuclear power industry predominantly utilizes light water reactors (LWRs) that primarily use enriched uranium fuel, typically containing a higher concentration of U-235, a fissile isotope of uranium. These reactors generate electricity through the fission of U-235. Breeder reactors, while technically feasible, have not been widely adopted due to various technical, economic, and political factors.