2007-04-04 09:32:23 · 4 answers · asked by shiznizzal24 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
A breeder reactor is a way of taking the relatively abundant Uranium-238, bombarding it with neutrons, and getting Plutonium-239. In this process you get energy out, but you can then burn the Plutonium in the same or another reactor (or bomb). This is why this method is sometimes controversial (see North Korea).
EDIT: Chernobyl was NOT a breeder reactor. It was an RBMK.
2007-04-04 09:41:34 · answer #1 · answered by g0atbeatr 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A Breeder Reactor is a nuclear reactor that creates a sustained chain reaction. A catalyst is introduced to control the rate of the reaction, typically graphite. Care must be taken with Breeder Reactors, they can get out of control and meltdown quickly. The Chernobyl Reactor was a Breeder.
2007-04-04 16:41:34 · answer #2 · answered by Pfo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A breeder reactor is a nuclear reactor whose end products (waste) is used for other reactors or bombs.
2007-04-04 16:44:30 · answer #3 · answered by Matthew P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A reactor which produces more fuel than it consumes.
2007-04-04 16:49:07 · answer #4 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋