Chapter 19.3, Problem 4RQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The way how a typical nuclear power plant in the United States is quite different from the breeder reactor which is generally used in Europe is to be explained.

Concept introduction:

A typical nuclear reactor involves the fission reaction while the breeder reactor is the nuclear reactor that produces greater fissionable material than its consumption for generating the energy.

Answer to Problem 4RQ

A breeder reactor gives the greater fissionable material as compared to its consumption for generating energy and this type of reactor is invented to increase the nuclear fuel supply for the generation of electric power. On the other hand, a typical nuclear reactor involves the nuclear fission reaction, which means a reaction in which an unstable nucleus breaks down into two or lighter nuclei to generates the electric power.

Explanation of Solution

The Breeder reactor is used to generate greater fissionable reactor material than its consumption because of their high neutrons economy which is enough to create more fusible fuels than their consumption, by irradiation of such fissile elements, for example, uranium 238 or thorium 232, which are inserted inside the reactor with the fissile fuels.

While in a typical nuclear power plant that is situated in The United States, the electrical power is generated during the fission reaction by the conversation of a small amount of mass into energy. The produced neutrons during the fission reaction are highly energetic and move quickly.

Conclusion

The Breeder reactor is used to generator more fissionable reactor material as compared to its consumption but the nuclear reactor is not.