Why Europe Should Put More Focus on Nuclear R&D and Fast Breeder Reactors

摘要

Research and development in the nuclear sector in Europe should focus on fast breeder reactors that will be capable of supplying energy needs for thousands of years with existing uranium or thorium resources, Leon Cizelj, president of the European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN), told NucNet. Mr Cizelj said Generation IV breeder technology will also reduce the already small amount of radioactive waste that conventional reactors produce by a factor of three or more. A fast breeder reactor is one that generates more fissile material than it consumes. They have been and are being explored in Russia, France, India, China, Japan and the US. They allow a significant increase in the amount of energy obtained from natural, depleted and recycled uranium. The technology also enables plutonium and other actinides to be used and recycled.