When a fast-moving neutron hits a nonfissionable uranium-238 (U-238) nucleus and is absorbed, an atom of fissionable plutonium-239 (Pu-239) is produced.
In a breeder reactor, uranium-238 absorbs a neutron and transmutes into plutonium-239, which is a fissile material that can sustain a nuclear chain reaction. This plutonium-239 can then be used as fuel in the reactor to produce energy.
Fast Breeder Reactors typically use a combination of plutonium-239 and uranium-238 as fuel. This type of reactor produces more fissile material than it consumes, making it an efficient way to generate nuclear power.
By using excess fast neutrons to convert Uranium-238 in a breeding blanket surrounding the core into a mixture of Plutonium isotopes, which can be extracted and made into new fuel pellets. Breeder reactors do not contain a moderator to slow the neutrons to thermal speeds, therefore they must use highly enriched Uranium-235 fuel (20% to 95% aka weapons grade uranium) to maintain criticality. The reaction is as follows:U238 + n --> U239 : captureU239 --> Np239 + e- : beta decay, HL 23.5 minutesNp239 --> Pu239 + e- : beta decay, HL 2.33 daysPu239 + n --> Pu240 : capturePu240 + n --> Pu241 : capturePu241 + n --> Pu242 : captureThe longer the breeding blanket is kept in the reactor, the more of isotopes Pu240, Pu241, and Pu242 are produced and the less suitable the Plutonium is for use in weapons. Operated properly a breeder reactor converts weapons grade fuel to fuel unsuitable for use in weapons while converting much of the 99.3% of natural Uranium that is unsuitable for reactor fuel to mixed isotope Plutonium (and other transuranics), an excellent reactor fuel.
Yes, radioactive isotopes are produced in a nuclear reactor through the process of nuclear fission, where heavy atomic nuclei are split into smaller fragments. These fragments, some of which are unstable and radioactive, can be used for various purposes such as medical imaging, cancer treatment, and scientific research.
Yes, potassium is sometimes used as a coolant in liquid metal fast breeder reactors. It has good heat-transfer properties and low neutron absorption, making it suitable for this application. However, its reactivity with water and air limits its use in some reactor designs.
Experimental Breeder Reactor I was created in 1950.
In a breeder reactor, uranium-238 absorbs a neutron and transmutes into plutonium-239, which is a fissile material that can sustain a nuclear chain reaction. This plutonium-239 can then be used as fuel in the reactor to produce energy.
A breeder reactor is one type of nuclear reactor, but not a type that is in general commercial use at the present time
The person who invented the Breeder Reactor in the 1950s was by a team led by Walter Zinn
A breeder reactor is generally defined as a power generating reactor that breeds at least sufficient plutonium to replace the U235/Pu which it has consumed. To the best of my knowledge, North Korea does not have such a reactor.
A breeder reactor
You may mean FBR - this stands for Fast Breeder Reactor
It is a continuous instantaneous process that happens in the nuclear breeder reactor.
The breeder reactor produce more fissile fuel than what is consumed while this is not the case for other nuclear reactors.
yes
It would be used as a more efficient version of a Nuclear Reactor. While a regular nuclear reactor requires almost a factor of 100 greater in fuel amounts, a Breeder reactor uses much less and produces less waste.
Dounreay PFR (Prototype Fast Reactor)