Environmental Studies

A Dictionary of Ecology A Dictionary of Earth Sciences Further reading

fast breeder reactor

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | Copyright

fast breeder reactor A nuclear reactor that uses fast neutrons to convert uranium to plutonium and which creates more fuel than it uses. A chain reaction is set up in which ²³⁸U, with an initial charge of ²³⁹Pu to begin the fission process, discards fast neutrons, each of which induces fission in another nucleus. Excess ²³⁹Pu is produced where plutonium production exceeds rate of fission. In fast breeder reactors, about 60 per cent of the fissionable material in the fuel elements is converted to useful energy compared to 0.5–1 per cent in burner reactors. Plutonium can be recycled, but other radioactive products are waste. See radioactive waste.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "fast breeder reactor." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "fast breeder reactor." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-fastbreederreactor.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "fast breeder reactor." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-fastbreederreactor.html

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fast breeder reactor

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | | Copyright

fast breeder reactor Nuclear reactor which uses fast neutrons to convert uranium to plutonium and which creates more fuel than it uses. A chain reaction is set up in which ²³⁸U, with an initial charge of ²³⁹Pu to begin the fission process, discards fast neutrons each of which induces fission in another nucleus. Excess ²³⁹Pu is produced where plutonium production exceeds rate of fission. About 60% of fuel elements in fast breeder reactors is converted to useful energy compared to 0.5–1% in burner reactors. Plutonium can be recycled, but other radioactive products are waste. See RADIOACTIVE WASTE.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "fast breeder reactor." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "fast breeder reactor." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-fastbreederreactor.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "fast breeder reactor." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-fastbreederreactor.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	"Fast Breeder" Reactors Destined to Fail Magazine article from: USA TODAY; 4/1/2010
	"Fast breeder" reactors destined to fail.(Nuclear Energy) Magazine article from: USA TODAY; 4/1/2010
	NUCLEAR SAFETY: FRANCO-JAPANESE AGREEMENT ON SAFETY OF FAST BREEDER REACTORS Newspaper article from: Europe Energy; 9/27/1996