Fast Neutron Breeder

Authors

J. M. Finan

Document Type

Research

Abstract

One of the fundamental reasons for developing methods of power generation utilizing nuclear fission as the heat source is to extend the world's supply of energy resources beyond those available in the conventional fuels; coal, oil and gas. The only naturally occurring isotope which can sustain a chain reaction is U-235. In the fertile materials U-238 and Th-232, there is a possibility of magnifying the supply of nuclear energy by several orders of magnitude. In certain types of reactors, it is possible to produce more fissionable material than is consumed in the production of heat. This phenomenon is called breeding and is the main reason for the effort to develop fast reactors. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss some of the distinguishing characteristics of a fast reactor using as illustration the reactor being developed by Atomic Power Development Associates, Inc. (APDA) for construction by Power Reactor Development Corporation (PRDC) at the Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant near Monroe, Michigan.

Publication Date

1957

Journal Title

Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

64

Issue

1

First Page

483

Last Page

495

Copyright

©1957 Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Finan, J. M. (1957) "Fast Neutron Breeder," Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 64(1), 483-495.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol64/iss1/54