Nuclear reactors are easier,

to understand.

The primary coolant system of most nuclear reactors has water as the cooling liquid.

A buffer is used to prevent the water from changing pH (it reacts with radiation) and causing damage to the pipes.

It is of itself a neutral pH but has the interesting property of being easily broken apart.

As the water shifts to either acid or alkaline it breaks apart differently to neutralize the change.

It’s therefore called a buffering compound.

The water will maintain a certain “buffered” pH until the compound is depleted.

The body however has many ways to buffer itself.

More than you wanted to know:


http://www.chemistry.wustl.edu/~edudev/LabTutorials/Buffer/Buffer.html



GS
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