Fast Breeder Reactors

Purolite has the ability to ensure that the chemistry of Fast Breeder Reactors operate at the highest efficiency with our CriticalResin™ products. Our team can support a variety of Fast Breeder designs. From helping to extend your unit's life to ensure that your plant maintains a safe environment from radioactive isotopes, our on-site technical experts can find solutions to help you to meet the nuclear promise. 

In a fast breeder reactor, also known as a liquid metal fast breeder reactor (LMFBR), splitting atoms generates more fissionable material (fissile) than it consumes. Breeders use mixed oxide fuels (MOX) primarily composed of 238U and other minor actinides. The typical design of the fast breeder begins with the center of the reactor core coated with impoverished uranium (238U).

The initial fuel, 235U, harnesses the fast neutrons emitted by the impoverished 238U and becomes 239Pu. Active isotope production rods get replaced approximately every week, and 239Pu extracted is used once more in the same or another power plant.

Coolant in an LMFBR (commonly liquid sodium) operates at a temperature of approximately 600 ºC, with the reactor enclosed in a concrete protection shield. The liquid metal coolant does not limit the neutron energy from 235U. Unlike a pressurized water reactor (PWR) or boiling water reactor (BWR), which uses water as a moderator, the neutrons emitted by the fission of active nuclei are not slowed down.

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