Not Breeders...

Space/Science » in reply to re: Integral Fast Reactors

Not Breeders...

Adam — 1/26/2006 10:05:10 AM (archived)

Hi Tom

The IFR is only a sort of breeder, but actually burns more U238 than it makes Plutonium for fuel. It needs the fast neutrons from the Plutonium so it needs to start with plutonium contaminated reactor fuel rods (i.e. "waste") but then it just gets topped up with U238.

Hence at no point is plutonium separated out in sufficiently pure form to be bomb material, unlike an old fashioned breeder.

Adam

The whole thread (11 posts)

Britain looking at nuclear power again - Tom Brosz - 1/25/2006 7:02:42 AM
- I hope we follow their lead - R.L. - 1/25/2006 7:57:08 AM
  - Nuclear Power Bases - Tom Brosz - 1/25/2006 7:34:45 PM
    - re: Nuclear Power Bases - gbaikie - 1/25/2006 9:50:18 PM
      - re: Nuclear Power Bases - Tom Brosz - 1/26/2006 12:49:23 AM
      - Integral Fast Reactors - Adam - 1/25/2006 10:59:27 PM
        
        re: Integral Fast Reactors - Tom Brosz - 1/26/2006 12:51:40 AM
        
        Not Breeders... - Adam - 1/26/2006 10:05:10 AM
        
        but WHO will start the discussion? - R.L. - 1/26/2006 5:00:41 AM
        
        Good question. - Tom Brosz - 1/26/2006 5:28:30 AM
        
        Well.... - R.L. - 1/26/2006 6:13:05 AM

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