An Examination of Alternative Nuclear Breeding Methods

Dave J. Dreyfuss, Bruno Augenstein, W. E. Mooz, P. A. Sher

ResearchPublished 1978

Examines the relative costs of four possible means of producing electrical energy--the light water reactor (LWR), the liquid metal fast breeder reactor (LMFBR), the fusion hybrid reactor, and the accelerator-driven reactor coupled with thermal converter reactors. Study results show that the LMFBR, which has been the preferred technology and has received the most funding to date, may not be as desirable as other alternatives. The fusion-fission hybrids and the accelerator-driven breeders not only promise to be competitive with the LMFBR or with any reactor-based breeder but also promise greater flexibility of use and more safety. Consequently, they should be funded in future R&D budgets.

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Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1978
  • Pages: 129
  • Document Number: R-2267-DOE

Citation

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Dreyfuss, Dave J., Bruno Augenstein, W. E. Mooz, and P. A. Sher, An Examination of Alternative Nuclear Breeding Methods. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1978. https://www.rand.org/pubs/reports/R2267.html.
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