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Most nuclear reactors, in general, are designed and built to produce usable energy. The energy helps supply public demand for electricity, or provide propulsion for a combat vessel at sea, especially submarines. Some nuclear reactors are built for research only, to learn more about nuclear power and about better ways to utilize it. Nuclear reactors do not emit atmospheric contaminants like other energy-making processes do. They are not like combustion engines, and require no oxygen to burn for their function.

Breeder reactors are a different story indeed. They do produce usable energy, but in too many cases their design purpose is to "breed" more fissionable material during the reaction process.

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How many different types of nuclear reactors are there?

There are several types of nuclear reactors, with the most common being pressurized water reactors (PWRs) and boiling water reactors (BWRs). Other types include heavy water reactors (HWRs), gas-cooled reactors (GCRs), and fast breeder reactors (FBRs). Additionally, there are specialized reactors like research reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs). In total, there are more than a dozen distinct reactor designs used for various purposes worldwide.


What is the bad things about the nuclear power reactors?

there are no bad things about the nuclear power reactors


How are people managing nuclear energy so we don't run out of it?

People are managing nuclear energy by utilizing advanced reactor designs that enhance safety and efficiency, such as Generation IV reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs). Additionally, there is ongoing research into nuclear fuel recycling and breeder reactors, which can extend the life of nuclear fuel by reusing spent fuel. Regulatory frameworks and international cooperation also play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and sustainable operation of nuclear facilities, while public awareness and acceptance are increasingly emphasized to support future developments in nuclear energy.


Functions of nuclear reactors?

One of the primary functions of a nuclear reactor is to maintain a chain reaction. Also, nuclear reactors are meant to provide a steady flow of neutrons.


Which type of nuclear power reactor is used in only 1 percent of all power plants?

The type of nuclear power reactor used in only about 1 percent of all power plants is the fast breeder reactor. Unlike the more common pressurized water and boiling water reactors, fast breeder reactors utilize fast neutrons to sustain the fission chain reaction and are designed to generate more fissile material than they consume. Their complex technology and higher costs have limited their widespread adoption.

Related Questions

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.


Are there more fast breeder or thermal nuclear reactors?

Most nuclear reactors are thermal-neutron reactors. A few fast breeder reactors have been built, but not many.


How are breeder reactors different from regular nuclear reactors?

A breeder reactor generates (in a way) new fuel, sometimes more fuel than it uses, by converting non-fissionable isotopes into fissionable isotopes, through neutron capture.


What are advantages and disadvantages of nuclear and breeder reactors?

You can't compare and contrast nuclear reactors and breeder reactors, any more than you can compare a lion with a mammal. A lion is one example of many mammals; a breeder reactor is just one example of many types of nuclear reactor.


What is the same between nuclear and breeder reactors?

They all use nuclear fission


Is plutonium produced only in breeder reactors?

No, plutonium is obtained in all the types of nuclear reactors.


Why are breeder reactors not used widely in the nuclear power industry?

Breeder reactors are not widely used in the nuclear power industry due to concerns about safety, high costs of construction and operation, potential for nuclear proliferation, and public perception of nuclear energy.


Difference between breeder reactors and nuclear reactors?

The nuclear reactor is different from the breeder reactor because it generates energy through fission. Historically, in order to be called a breeder, a reactor must be specifically designed to create more fissile material than it consumes. this is what I've looked up and been able to find


Does a breeder nuclear reactor use moderator?

No, a breeder nuclear reactor does not typically use a moderator. Breeder reactors are designed to produce more fissile material than they consume by using fast neutrons to convert non-fissile isotopes into fissile ones without slowing down the neutrons.


Is thorium used in nuclear reactors?

Not as fuel, but it can be used in breeder reactors as breeding material to make fissile Uranium-233.


Breeder reactors are used to convert?

Breeder reactors are used to convert non-fissile isotopes (such as U-238) into fissile isotopes (such as Pu-239) through neutron capture reactions, thereby producing additional fuel for nuclear reactors while generating energy. This process allows for the sustainable use of nuclear energy by recycling and reusing nuclear fuel.


Does nuclear reactors and breeder reactors have any similarities?

They're mostly the same, except that nuclear reactors aimed at breeding more fissile material use expensive primary coolant instead of cheap water.