BREEDER REACTORS Meaning and
Definition
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Breeder reactors are nuclear reactors designed to produce more fissile material (such as plutonium-239) than they consume during the fission process. They are a type of nuclear reactor that, in addition to producing energy from nuclear fission, also breed additional fuel for future use.
The process involves utilizing fertile material, usually uranium-238, which does not undergo fission directly but can be converted into fissile material through neutron absorption and chain reactions. In this process, the fertile material captures neutrons released during fission reactions, producing heavier isotopes, such as plutonium-239, which are fissile and can then be used as fuel.
The breeding capability of these reactors allows for the generation of more fuel than they consume, making them an attractive option for long-term sustainable energy production. The production of additional fuel can be used in both breeder reactors themselves or in other types of reactors, effectively extending the life of nuclear fuel and reducing the dependence on non-renewable resources.
Breeder reactors have the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and sustainability of nuclear energy. However, they also pose challenges due to the potential use of bred material for nuclear weapons and the management of radioactive waste produced during the process. Nevertheless, breeder reactors remain an important area of research and development in the field of nuclear energy.
Common Misspellings for BREEDER REACTORS
- breder reactor
- breeder reactor
- breader reactor
- breeder reaktor
- vreeder reactors
- nreeder reactors
- hreeder reactors
- greeder reactors
- beeeder reactors
- bdeeder reactors
- bfeeder reactors
- bteeder reactors
- b5eeder reactors
- b4eeder reactors
- brweder reactors
- brseder reactors
- brdeder reactors
- brreder reactors
- br4eder reactors
- br3eder reactors
Etymology of BREEDER REACTORS
The word "breeder" in "breeder reactors" refers to the ability of these reactors to produce (or "breed") more fissile material than they consume. The etymology of the term "breeder" in this context goes back to the development of early nuclear reactors.
The concept of a breeder reactor originated in the 1940s when scientists realized that certain isotopes of uranium, such as uranium-238, which is abundant in nature, could be converted into plutonium-239, a fissile material suitable for use in nuclear weapons or fuel for nuclear reactors. This conversion process happens when uranium-238 absorbs a neutron and undergoes a sequence of radioactive decays.
The term "breeder" was coined to describe these reactors that could "breed" or create more fissile material than they consumed.
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