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Status of fast breeder reactor development in the United States

Abstract

This document was prepared by the Office of the Program Director for Nuclear Energy, U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE). It sets forth the status and current activities for the development of fast breeder technology in the United States. In April 1977 the United States announced a change in its nuclear energy policy. Concern about the potential for the proliferation of nuclear weapons capability emerged as a major issue in considering whether to proceed with the development, demonstration and eventual deployment of breeder reactor energy systems. Plutonium recycle and the commercialization of the fast breeder were deferred indefinitely. This led to a reorientation of the nuclear fuel cycle program which was previously directed toward the commercialization of fuel reprocessing and plutonium recycle to the investigation of a full range of alternative fuel cycle technologies. Two major system evaluation programs, the Nonproliferation Alternative Systems Assessment Program (NASAP), which is domestic, and the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation (INFCE), which is international, are assessing the nonproliferation advantages and other characteristics of advanced reactor concepts and fuel cycles. These evaluations will allow a decision in 1981 on the future direction of the breeder program. In the interim, the technologies of two fast breeder reactor  More>>
Authors:
Publication Date:
Jul 01, 1979
Product Type:
Conference
Report Number:
IWGFR-30-2
Resource Relation:
Conference: 12. annual meeting of the International Working Group on Fast Reactors, Vienna (Austria), 27-30 Mar 1979; Other Information: PBD: Jul 1979; Related Information: In: Twelfth annual meeting of the International Working Group on Fast Reactors. Summary report. Part II, 101 pages.
Subject:
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS; ENERGY DEMAND; ENERGY POLICY; FBR TYPE REACTORS; FFTF REACTOR; FUEL CYCLE; GAS COOLED REACTORS; LICENSING; LMFBR TYPE REACTORS; POWER GENERATION; PROLIFERATION; REACTOR LICENSING; REACTOR SAFETY; REPROCESSING; US ORGANIZATIONS
OSTI ID:
20240695
Research Organizations:
International Atomic Energy Agency, International Working Group on Fast Reactors, Vienna (Austria)
Country of Origin:
IAEA
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
TRN: XA0200896014315
Availability:
Available from INIS in electronic form
Submitting Site:
INIS
Size:
page(s) 48-61
Announcement Date:
Apr 17, 2002

Citation Formats

Rosen, S. Status of fast breeder reactor development in the United States. IAEA: N. p., 1979. Web.
Rosen, S. Status of fast breeder reactor development in the United States. IAEA.
Rosen, S. 1979. "Status of fast breeder reactor development in the United States." IAEA.
@misc{etde_20240695,
title = {Status of fast breeder reactor development in the United States}
author = {Rosen, S}
abstractNote = {This document was prepared by the Office of the Program Director for Nuclear Energy, U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE). It sets forth the status and current activities for the development of fast breeder technology in the United States. In April 1977 the United States announced a change in its nuclear energy policy. Concern about the potential for the proliferation of nuclear weapons capability emerged as a major issue in considering whether to proceed with the development, demonstration and eventual deployment of breeder reactor energy systems. Plutonium recycle and the commercialization of the fast breeder were deferred indefinitely. This led to a reorientation of the nuclear fuel cycle program which was previously directed toward the commercialization of fuel reprocessing and plutonium recycle to the investigation of a full range of alternative fuel cycle technologies. Two major system evaluation programs, the Nonproliferation Alternative Systems Assessment Program (NASAP), which is domestic, and the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation (INFCE), which is international, are assessing the nonproliferation advantages and other characteristics of advanced reactor concepts and fuel cycles. These evaluations will allow a decision in 1981 on the future direction of the breeder program. In the interim, the technologies of two fast breeder reactor concepts are being developed: the Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR) and the Gas Cooled Fast Reactor (CFR). The principal goals of the fast breeder program are: LMFBR - through a strong R and D program, consistent with US nonproliferation objectives and anticipated national electric energy requirements, maintain the capability to commit to a breeder option; investigate alternative fuels and fuel cycles that might offer nonproliferation advantages; GCFR - provide a viable alternative to the LMFBR that will be consistent with the developing U.S. nonproliferation policy; provide GCFR technology and other needed support on a schedule consistent with an internationally developed cooperative program; fuel cycle - develop a reprocessing technology base emphasizing fast breeder systems but generic to all reactor types. In addition, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Advanced Reactor Safety Research Program provides research to support licensing evaluations for demonstration and prototype plants. The United States Government is also actively involved in cooperative breeder research and development activities with other nations and international organizations.}
place = {IAEA}
year = {1979}
month = {Jul}
}