A breeder reactor is a specialized nuclear reactor that generates more fissile fuel than it consumes. While conventional reactors primarily burn rare uranium-235, breeders convert abundant "fertile" materials like uranium-238 or thorium-232 into fuel, potentially extending the world's nuclear fuel supply for centuries. Core Mechanics
: They often use liquid metals like sodium because of their excellent heat transfer properties and high boiling points. Major Types The rise and demise of the Clinch River Breeder Reactor breeder reactor
: Most breeders are "fast" reactors that do not use a moderator (like water) to slow down neutrons, allowing for more efficient conversion of fertile material. A breeder reactor is a specialized nuclear reactor
: Neutrons from a fissioning core are absorbed by a "blanket" of fertile material (e.g., U-238), transforming it into fissile isotopes (e.g., Pu-239). Major Types The rise and demise of the