FAST BREEDER Meaning and
Definition
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A fast breeder refers to a type of nuclear reactor that utilizes a special design to breed more fissile material than it consumes, hence producing more fuel than it consumes. This type of reactor achieves this by using fast neutrons to convert non-fissile material, usually depleted uranium or thorium, into fissile material, such as plutonium or uranium-233, which can be used as fuel in nuclear reactors.
The fast breeder reactor operates on the principle of a self-sustaining chain reaction, where the neutrons released during the fission of one atom cause the fission of other atoms in a continuous cycle. To enable efficient breeding, the reactor's core is packed with a breeding material surrounded by a blanket region. The neutrons generated in the core are absorbed by the breeding material, converting it into fissile material. The blanket region consists of a material that will convert the produced neutrons back into thermal or slow neutrons, which can then be absorbed in the core to sustain the chain reaction.
Fast breeder reactors have the potential to significantly extend the lifespan of nuclear fuel resources by producing more fissile material than the conventional reactors consume. Additionally, they can operate using a wide range of nuclear fuel options, including materials that are currently considered waste. However, the operation of fast breeder reactors poses challenges such as the need to manage and transport the highly radioactive and weapons-grade materials produced. The focus on fast breeder technology has fluctuated over the years due to concerns regarding proliferation risks and the availability of alternative energy sources.
Common Misspellings for FAST BREEDER
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Etymology of FAST BREEDER
The word "fast breeder" has its etymology in the field of nuclear energy. It combines two distinct terms: "fast" and "breeder".
The term "fast" refers to a specific type of nuclear reactor, known as a fast reactor. Fast reactors use fast neutrons (neutrons with high kinetic energy) to sustain the nuclear chain reaction required to produce energy. Unlike thermal reactors which use slower neutrons, fast reactors operate at higher speeds, hence the term "fast".
The term "breeder" refers to the reactor's ability to produce more fissile material than it consumes. In a fast breeder reactor, fertile material such as uranium-238 can be converted into fissile material, like plutonium-239, through a process called nuclear breeding. This breeding process allows for the production of additional fuel, making the reactor self-sustaining and capable of increasing its own fuel supply.
