Fast breeder nuclear reactor. Diagram of the workings of a fast breeder reactor (FBR). In this reactor, the core comprises fissile fuel rods (orange)
Fast breeder nuclear reactor. Diagram of the workings of a fast breeder reactor (FBR). In this reactor, the core comprises fissile fuel rods (orange) surrounded by breeder fuel rods (yellow). The breeder rods contain uranium-238, which is converted into the fissile plutonium-239 as the fissile rods react. The reactor produces more fissile nuclei than it uses, which can be used as fuel in other reactors. Water absorbs neutrons, so liquid sodium (pink) is used as a coolant instead. Heat exchangers filled with more liquid sodium (left loops) and water (right loops) convert the water into steam (red), which drives the electricity generator (green/white).
Size: 4500px × 3214px
Photo credit: © Science Photo Library / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: art, artwork, breeder, control, coolant, cooling, core, diagram, energy, exchanger, fast, fuel, generation, generator, heat, horizontal, illustration, liquid, nuclear, plutonium, power, radiation, reactor, rod, rods, schematic, sodium, station, turbine, uranium, water
