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How is plutonium-239 produced in a breeder reactor?

Plutonium-239 is produced in a breeder reactor when uranium-238 absorbs a neutron and undergoes two beta decays to become plutonium-239. This process allows the breeder reactor to create more fissile material than it consumes, making it a sustainable source of nuclear fuel.


Which Fuel is used in Fast Breeder Reactor?

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.


How does a breeder reactor breed nuclear fuel?

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.


Are radioactive isotopes produced in a nuclear reactor?

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.


Is potassium used as nuclear reactor coolant?

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.

Related Questions

When was Experimental Breeder Reactor I created?

Experimental Breeder Reactor I was created in 1950.


Do Breeder reactor and nuclear reactor have similarities?

A breeder reactor is one type of nuclear reactor, but not a type that is in general commercial use at the present time


Who invented the breeder reactor?

The person who invented the Breeder Reactor in the 1950s was by a team led by Walter Zinn


When did North Korea breeder reactor start?

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.


How is plutonium-239 produced in a breeder reactor?

Plutonium-239 is produced in a breeder reactor when uranium-238 absorbs a neutron and undergoes two beta decays to become plutonium-239. This process allows the breeder reactor to create more fissile material than it consumes, making it a sustainable source of nuclear fuel.


What type of reactor makes more fissionable material?

A breeder reactor


What is a FBB reactor?

You may mean FBR - this stands for Fast Breeder Reactor


How many days does a breeder reactor require to produce plutonium-239 from uranium-238?

It is a continuous instantaneous process that happens in the nuclear breeder reactor.


How are breeder reactors and nuclear reactor different?

The breeder reactor produce more fissile fuel than what is consumed while this is not the case for other nuclear reactors.


Does breeder reactor consists of fission reaction?

yes


How does one use a breeder reactor?

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.


What is UK 's first fast breeder reactor in Scotland called?

Dounreay PFR (Prototype Fast Reactor)