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Breeder reactors: Difference between revisions
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Breeder reactors can obtain [[energy]] from [[thorium-232]] and [[uranium-238]], which are far more abundant on Earth than the uranium-235 used in [[conventional nuclear reactors]]. | Breeder reactors can obtain [[energy]] from [[thorium-232]] and [[uranium-238]], which are far more abundant on Earth than the uranium-235 used in [[conventional nuclear reactors]]. | ||
This means that fuel scarcity would no-longer be a reason why nuclear power can't scale up and replace [[fossil fuels]]. Breeder reactor fuels, while not ''renewable'', have mineral reserves are far greater than | This means that fuel scarcity would no-longer be a reason why nuclear power can't scale up and replace [[fossil fuels]]. Breeder reactor fuels, while not ''renewable'', have mineral reserves are far greater than coal, oil and gas combined (in terms of [[energy]]). | ||
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{{minor|The uranium-238 is bred to become plutonium-239, which is considered "easy" to make nuclear bombs with.}} | {{minor|The uranium-238 is bred to become plutonium-239, which is considered "easy" to make nuclear bombs with.}} | ||
[[Thorium-232]] breeder reactors are ''' | [[Thorium-232]] breeder reactors are '''lower''' risk. | ||
{{minor|The thorium-232 is bred to become uranium-233, which is considered far more difficult for making nuclear bombs.}} | {{minor|The thorium-232 is bred to become uranium-233, which is considered far more difficult for making nuclear bombs.}} | ||