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In a breeder reactor a. Plutonium is converted into uranium or b. Uranium is converted into plutonium?
Uranium. A breeder reactor can use either Uranium, Plutonium, or mixed Transuranic elements for fuel. Depleted Uranium or Thorium is used as the breeding blanket. Periodically the breeding blanket is changed: the old one reprocessed to make new fuel.
Is plutonium reusable?
Directly, no. Once fissioned the plutonium is gone (it has transformed to other lighter elements). However indirectly using a breeder reactor, yes. A plutonium fueled breeder reactor with a uranium breeding blanket will produce more plutonium (from uranium-238) than it consumes. This breeder reactor can at the same time be generating electricity like any other power reactor.
Does a breeder reactor use uranium as a fuel?
Yes, a breeder reactor uses uranium as a fuel. Specifically, it uses a specific isotope of uranium, such as uranium-235 or uranium-238, to sustain a nuclear chain reaction. The reactor can also produce more fissile material, like plutonium-239, through breeding reactions.
What element is converted to plutonium to make the first nuclear reactors?
Uranium-238 is converted to plutonium-239 in nuclear reactors by absorbing neutrons, which then undergo fission reactions. This conversion process is a key aspect of nuclear reactor operation, particularly in breeder reactors where new fuel is produced while generating energy.
What fuel is used in fast breeder reactor?
Mainly Plutonium fuel. They are usually started on highly enriched uranium (i.e., weapons grade) fuel, with a breeding blanket of depleted uranium surrounding the core. Over time the breeding blanket is periodically changed and the old one reprocessed to extract plutonium; which is used to make replacement fuel for the reactor (and sometimes others). So the reactor starts on uranium fuel and each time the fuel is replaced it transitions gradually to plutonium fuel. It is also possible to tune a breeder reactor to operate as a plutonium burner (without breeding new fuel). Such a reactor would burn plutonium only. This has been suggested as an effective means of disposing of the current "excess" of plutonium removed from retired nuclear weapons.
What is produced from uranium-238 in a breeder reactor?
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.
In a breeder reactor a. Plutonium is converted into uranium or b. Uranium is converted into plutonium?
Uranium. A breeder reactor can use either Uranium, Plutonium, or mixed Transuranic elements for fuel. Depleted Uranium or Thorium is used as the breeding blanket. Periodically the breeding blanket is changed: the old one reprocessed to make new fuel.
Which uranium is used in a breeder reactor?
Uranium-238 can be used efficiently in breeder reactors; plutonium is obtained and Pu is a fissile material in situ.
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.
An element produced inside a nuclear reactor?
Plutonium, an element not found in nature, is formed from uranium during reactor operation
Is plutonium reusable?
Directly, no. Once fissioned the plutonium is gone (it has transformed to other lighter elements). However indirectly using a breeder reactor, yes. A plutonium fueled breeder reactor with a uranium breeding blanket will produce more plutonium (from uranium-238) than it consumes. This breeder reactor can at the same time be generating electricity like any other power 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 kind of reactor produces plutonium 239?
Plutonium 239 is obtained in all reactors using uranium as nuclear fuel.
What element is a reactor fuel?
Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239, or Uranium-233. Also many transuranics, like Americium make good fuel.
Does a breeder reactor use uranium as a fuel?
Yes, a breeder reactor uses uranium as a fuel. Specifically, it uses a specific isotope of uranium, such as uranium-235 or uranium-238, to sustain a nuclear chain reaction. The reactor can also produce more fissile material, like plutonium-239, through breeding reactions.
What element is converted to plutonium to make the first nuclear reactors?
Uranium-238 is converted to plutonium-239 in nuclear reactors by absorbing neutrons, which then undergo fission reactions. This conversion process is a key aspect of nuclear reactor operation, particularly in breeder reactors where new fuel is produced while generating energy.
What fuel is used in fast breeder reactor?
Mainly Plutonium fuel. They are usually started on highly enriched uranium (i.e., weapons grade) fuel, with a breeding blanket of depleted uranium surrounding the core. Over time the breeding blanket is periodically changed and the old one reprocessed to extract plutonium; which is used to make replacement fuel for the reactor (and sometimes others). So the reactor starts on uranium fuel and each time the fuel is replaced it transitions gradually to plutonium fuel. It is also possible to tune a breeder reactor to operate as a plutonium burner (without breeding new fuel). Such a reactor would burn plutonium only. This has been suggested as an effective means of disposing of the current "excess" of plutonium removed from retired nuclear weapons.
