Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reaction (LMFBR):-

Definition:-
A type of reactor which breeds itself as well as uses liquid metal for transformation of heat in to
the heat exchanger is called LMFBR.

Basic Components of a Nuclear Reactor

Fissile material
U-235, Pu-239, U-233
Commonly used form; UO2 as ceramic (m. p.
2800°C)

Fertile material
Th-232, U-238
Fuel element:- In breeder reactors uranium-238
or thorium-232 are used as fuel element. Uranium-
238 is 140 times more abundant than the
fissionable U-235 and can be efficiently converted into Pu-239 by the neutrons from a fission
chain reaction. U235 being less abundant cannot be sued for ever as a fuel. So a way out was
needed to use the abundant isotope as a fuel in the nuclear reactor.

Breeding process:-
In this type of reactor fast neutrons are used to convert 92U238 in to 94Pu239 as follows:
238
92U + on1 → 93Np239 + β-
239
93Np → 94Pu239 + β-
239
94Pu can be used as fuel as efficiently as 92U235 but the only difference is that fast neutrons can
carry out the following fission process.
1 239
on + 94Pu → X + Y + 2on1 + 200 MeV
Where X and Y are fission fragments. As it is emitting two neutrons per fission, therefore it can
be used for nuclear bombs as well.

The Liquid Metal Coolant:-

The 94P239 breeder reactor is called LMFBR because a liquid metal like sodium is used as a
coolant instead of water, which slows down the neutrons and hinders the process of breeding.
Sodium is solid at room temperature but becomes liquid at 98C and is therefore a good heat
transfer liquid.

Advantage of liquid metal Na

1. Molten sodium is the coolant of choice because it causes negligible moderation.
2. Not only one of the cheapest available metals liquid sodium is further advantageous
because it carries a high power density and is non-corrosive to stainless steels.
3. Like light water, liquid sodium is inherently safe in loss-of-flow scenarios; its large heat
capacity and good thermal conductivity prevent significant temperature rises.

Moderator
The fact that is called a fast (breeder) reactor means that sufficient fissions can be initiated by the
capture of high energy (fast) neutrons. Moderators are used to slow down the neutrons without
absorbing them. In a fast breeder reactor no moderator is required.

Working: -
The core of the reactor (the region
containing the fissionable material) is made
up of 15 to 30% U235 which is surrounded
by blanket of U238. Since fast neutrons are
more efficient in converting U238 to 94Pu239,
there is no need for a moderator to slow
down the neutrons produced in the fission.
Cadmium rods control the chain reaction in
the blanketed core, contained in a primary
vessel. The feed water circulating in the
outer heat exchanger is converted in to
steam to drive a turbine, which may operate
an electric generator to produce electricity.
Advantages:-
 The life span of the present uranium. Uranium sources are increased by 100 times by using 92U238
instead of 92U235.
 The 92U238 left over while enrichment of 92U235 for thermal reactor can be used.
 Ores with a very small concentration of 92U235 which is useless for conventional reactors can be used
for the as blanket of 92U238 in LMFBR.
 Energy produced is of low cost due to readily availability of 92U238(without enrichment). Since it
reuses fuel, the expenses for mining, and processing of uranium ore are minimized.
 Breeder reactor creates 30% more fuel than it consumes.
 It can generate much more energy than traditional coal power plants. Even 3 g of uranium, on
undergoing fission, can release ten times the energy produced by a ton of coal.
 This technology does not contribute to air pollution.
Disadvantages:-
 Sodium explodes if exposed to air or water. Therefore, any leakage can be dangerous.
 The coolant used in LMFBR and the heat exchanger is opaque. Therefore it is not possible to
see inside the core, what is going on there while repairing during maintenance.
 The high energy neutron makes sodium radioactive because:
1
0n + 11Na23 → 11Na24 + γ-ray (T1/2 = 15 hrs)

To be safe, it is advised to wait at least twenty half lives which is 300 hours or 12.5 days. So
it is important to wait 12.5 days after shutting down the reactor in order to carry some repair
work.
 Long switching off the reactor, increases the cost significantly and also reliability of
LMFBR.
 Highly enriched sodium coolant can cause a serious accident in LMFBR and then there is a
chance that 94Pu239 would be emitted in to atmosphere which can result in devastating results.
Plutonium persists for a long time in the environment, with a half-life of 24,000 years, and is
highly toxic, causing lung cancer even if a small amount is inhaled.
 The construction and operation of LMFBR is very costly.
 It requires liquefied sodium or potassium metal as a coolant, as water would slow down the
neutrons. These metals can cause a mishap, as they react violently when exposed to water or
air.