Energy/power: The fast-breeder reactor: When, where, why, and hew? An LMFBR plant will be built and the HTGR is under study; The factors involved are efficiency and safety

摘要

Discusses the efficiency, safety and natural resources aspects of the liquid metal fast breeder reactor. Essentially, the LMFBR will utilize about 70 percent of the potential energy in uranium ore. By contrast, only 1 to 2 percent of the potential energy of uranium is utilized in fission reactors; the remainder consists of waste tailings. The proponents of the LMFBR contend that, when this type of breeder is established as an operational entity in the power industry, the sharp increase in uranium requirements we are presently witnessing will fall off sharply.