Ask A Scientist© Physics Archive

Question:  Which is more efficient: a breeder reactor or a nuclear fission one?
Why?
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Answer:  A breeder reactor IS a fission reactor.  It is a much more
efficient version of a fission reactor because it "breeds"
new fuel while consuming the old fuel.  This is possible because
the fission reactions release lots of neutrons that can
be used to transform certain non-useful isotopes into
useful isotopes or elements - in particular Plutonium is
generally a product of breeder reactors.  However, plutonium
is also rather hazardous and dangerous for reasons associated
with proliferation of nuclear weapons, so breeder reactors
have not been very popular in the U.S.  They are widely used
in other countries though (Japan and France I think).
Arthur Smith
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