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Nuclear Fission Reactors pp 102–134Cite as

Breeder Reactors with a Fast Neutron Spectrum

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Part of the book series: Topics in Energy ((TENE))

Abstract

Breeder reactors with a fast neutron spectrum have a sufficiently high breeding ratio to allow independence of any external supply of fissile material in practical operation. The U-238/Pu-239 or the Th-232/U-233 conversion processes enable this type of reactor to utilize natural uranium or thorium theoretically with 100% efficiency and practically, including losses in the fuel cycle, with an efficiency in excess of 60%. This is a factor of 100 higher than the fuel utilization in present standard LWR’s without reprocessing, and approximately a factor of 25 to 50 higher than in converter reactors operating with high conversion ratios and in the recycling mode (see Section 2.6 and Chapter 6).

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Selected Literature

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Neutronenphysik und Reaktortechnik, Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Federal Republic of Germany

    Prof. Dr. Günther Kessler

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  1. Prof. Dr. Günther Kessler
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© 1983 Springer-Verlag Wien

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Kessler, G. (1983). Breeder Reactors with a Fast Neutron Spectrum. In: Nuclear Fission Reactors. Topics in Energy. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-7622-1_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-7622-1_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-7091-7624-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-7622-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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