A typical breeder reactor operates with a conversion ratio of_____________________?
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Answer: B. more than unity
Explanation
A breeder reactor is specifically engineered to produce more fissile material than it consumes. This operational capability is quantified by a conversion ratio greater than unity. Neutrons captured in fertile blankets successfully transform non-fissile isotopes into new reactor fuel. Conversion ratio is the ratio of fissile atoms produced to fissile atoms consumed. Breeder reactors utilize fast neutrons to maximize plutonium production from uranium-238 fertile material. This technology extends global nuclear fuel resource availability by orders of magnitude.
Fast breeder reactors help nuclear fuel cycles achieve high resource sustainability in power generation. Countries with limited natural uranium reserves invest in breeder reactor research programs. Managing plutonium inventories requires strict safeguards within advanced breeder fuel cycles. A conversion ratio of unity means the reactor produces exactly as much fuel as it burns. Thermal reactors typically operate with conversion ratios less than unity consuming net fuel. Zero conversion ratios apply to non-breeding systems where no new fissile material is created.
- Subject
- Engineering
- Category
- Mechanical Engineering
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
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