Energy from breeder reactors

MAY 01, 1972

Reactors that consume relatively abundant uranium ores while generating more of an expensive “catalyst” than they use will be our answer to growing energy demands over the next fifty years.

DOI: 10.1063/1.3070852

Floyd L. Culler

William O. Harms

Within the next 30 years we will call upon our resources and technology to supply more energy than has been consumed throughout all history. Population pressures, the necessity for increased living standards in the underdeveloped nations, the demands of material affluence in the technological societies, the need to improve management of our dwindling natural resources and to protect our environment will force energy demand to unprecedented levels.

This article is only available in PDF format

References

1. C. Starr, Sci. Amer. 225, no. 3, 37 (1971).https://doi.org/SCAMAC
2. A. M. Weinberg, R. P. Hammond, Amer. Scientist 58, 412 (1970).https://doi.org/AMSCAC
3. Conceptual Plant Design, System Description, and Costs for a 1000 MWe Sodium Cooled Fast Reactor, Table 2.11, page 91, GEAP‐5678, December 1968;
Molten Salt Reactor Program Semiannual Progress Report, 28 Feb. 1971, ORNL‐4676, page 42.
4. M. J. Whitman, A. N. Tardiff, P. L. Hofmann, Proceedings of the Fourth UN International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Geneva, 6–16 September, 1971 (to be published), Table III.
5. Potential Nuclear Power Growth Patterns, WASH‐1098, December 1970, page 6.
6. M. W. Rosenthal, P. R. Kasten, R. B. Briggs, Nuclear Applied Technology 8, 107 (1970).https://doi.org/NUAPAO
7. R. L. Faulkner, Proceedings of the Fourth UN International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Geneva, 6–16 September 1971 (to be published), Table 1 and figure 7.
8. Reference 4, Table II, case A.
9. Reference 4, Table IV.
10. (Paper identified in reference 7.)
11. M. Shaw, M. Whitman, Sci. Technol. n75, 22 (1968).
12. R. G. Bernier, A. J. Goodjohn, Commercial Power Generation from HTGR Nuclear Steam Systems, Gulf‐GA‐10415, 11 Nov. 1970.
13. M. Shaw, J. W. Landis, R. B. Laney, M. Rosenthal, W. H. Layman, Nucl. Eng. Int. 15, 899 (1970).
14. M. W. Rosenthal, E. S. Bettis, R. B. Briggs, W. R. Grimes, P. N. Haubenreich, H. E. McCoy, L. E. McNeese, Proceedings of the Fourth UN International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Geneva, 6–16 September 1971 (to be published).
15. B. Pelland, H. Tschirky, Neue Tech. A13, 150 (1971).
16. P. Murray, Proceedings of the Northwest Electric Light and Power Association Meeting, Portland, Oregon 1971.
17. (Paper identified in reference 4.)
18. H. I. Bowers, M. L. Myers, Estimated Capital Costs of Nuclear and Fossil Power Plants, ORNL‐TM3243, 5 Mar. 1971.
19. H. E. Vann, M. J. Whitman, H. I. Bowers, Proceedings of the Fourth UN International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Geneva, 6–16 September, 1971 (to be published).

More about the Authors

Floyd L. Culler. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee.

William O. Harms. Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor Program, Oak Ridge.