breeder reactor

noun

1. a type of nuclear reactor that produces more fissionable material than it consumes Compare converter reactor See also fast-breeder reactor

breeder reactor

/ brē′dər /

1. A nuclear reactor that is used to create fissionable material (such as plutonium-239) by exposing nonfissionable material (such as uranium-238) to radiation. The source of the radiation is usually some other fissionable material. Breeder reactors produce more fissionable material than they use up.

breeder reactor

1. A nuclear reactor in which plutonium and other materials are produced as a by-product.

Notes

The development of the breeder reactor has been stopped in the United States, but continues to be pursued in Europe and Japan.

Breeder reactors are designed to produce more fuel than they consume.

Example Sentences

A breeder reactor can provide a twofer: disposing of what is now considered a problematic waste while producing a very large amount of energy for centuries.

From Washington Post

Solving this will require a breeder reactor: one that can extract the energy of the major component of uranium, its isotope U-238.

From Washington Post

There is nuclear fission which produces no CO2 and with modern breeder reactor technology will produce little radioactive waste.

From New York Times

The problem with the breeder reactor waste is just one of many environmental issues at the lab, located on a high desert plateau near Idaho Falls.

From Los Angeles Times

It was once seen within the global nuclear research community as a bold experiment, as similar breeder reactor programs elsewhere were halted.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

• reactor