Are fast-breeder reactors the answer to our nuclear waste

[Aurora]

The Guardian - 30/07/12

Are fast-breeder reactors the answer to our nuclear waste nightmare?

The battle is intensifying on a decision over a major fast-breeder reactor to deal with the plutonium waste at Sellafield.

Article continues ...

[biffvernon]

Are fast-breeder reactors the answer to our nuclear waste nightmare?

No.

Next question, please.

[biffvernon]

Those who continue to oppose nuclear power have to explain how they would deal with those dangerous stockpile

No, it's those who have promoted nuclear power over the 50 years who have to explain how they are going to clear up the mess they created. First step would be to stop creating any more.

[mobbsey]

Are fast-breeder reactors the answer to our nuclear waste nightmare?

I'm sorry, what was the original question/problem that necessitated this tangential analysis?

[kenneal - lagger]

I thought we built a few fast breeder reactors and couldn't get them to work. There aren't any going now as far as I know. Might that suggest something?

[mobbsey]

I thought we built a few fast breeder reactors and couldn't get them to work.

Fast reactors have a much higher energy density because they don't have a water/graphite moderator taking up a lot of room between the fuel rods. That makes cooling a major problem with fast reactors, and makes them liable melt down far faster.

The greater problem is the fast neutron flux which degrades steel and other materials in the core (fusion has exactly the same problem, exacerbated by the accumulation of neutron activation products which poison the plasma). Neutron degradation enhances ageing of the materials and that requires highly expensive refits (and generates a lot more intermediate waste from the activations product which contaminate fast reactor core components).