Reactors reactor types

A variety of nuclear reactor designs is possible using different combinations of components and process features for different purposes (see Nuclear REACTORS, reactor types). Two versions of the lightwater reactors were favored the pressurized water reactor (PWR) and the boiling water reactor (BWR). Each requites enrichment of uranium in U. To assure safety, careful control of coolant conditions is requited (see Nuclearreactors, water CHEMISTRY OF LIGHTWATER REACTORS NuCLEAR REACTORS, SAFETY IN NUCLEAR FACILITIES). 

A variation of the classical fuel cycle is the breeder cycle. Special breeder reactors are used to convert fertile isotopes iato fissile isotopes, which creates more fuel than is burned (see Nuclear reactors, reactor types). There are two viable breeder cycles U/ Pu, and Th/ U. The thorium fuels were, however, not ia use as of 1995. A breeder economy implies the existence of both breeder reactors that generate and nonbreeder reactors that consume the fissile material. The breeder reactor fuel cycle has been partially implemented ia France and the U.K. 

In plutonium-fueled breeder power reactors, more plutonium is produced than is consumed (see Nuclear REACTORS, reactor types). Thus the utilization of plutonium as a nuclear energy or weapon source is especially attractive to countries that do not have uranium-enrichment facilities. The cost of a chemical reprocessing plant for plutonium production is much less than that of a uranium-235 enrichment plant (see Uraniumand URANIUM compounds). Since the end of the Cold War, the potential surplus of 239Pu metal recovered from the dismantling of nuclear weapons has presented a large risk from a security standpoint. 

N.S. Nautilus -nuclear reactors for [NUCLEAR REACTORS - REACTOR TYPES] (Vol 17)... 

Tubular Reactors Reactor Types and Selected Process Applications... 

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