Glossary - M

MACSTOR

Acronym for Modular Air-Cooled Storage

Megawatt (MW)

Megawatt is a unit of power, is equal to one million watts, and refers to the heat output of a reactor. MWe refers to electrical output.

Source: AECL

Moderator

Moderators are used to lower ("moderate") the energies of a portion of the neutrons emitted by fissioning uranium atoms, to increase their probability of hitting another uranium atom to cause further fissioning. Graphite and light water are frequently used as moderators. CANDU reactors use heavy water as the moderator.

Source: AECL

Modular Air-Cooled Storage

Modular Air-Cooled Storage units were developed by AECL as safe, highly-efficient, above-ground modules for storing used fuel from CANDU and other types of reactors.

Source: AECL