GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Detailed explanation-1: -Fast breeder reactors which use uranium-238 as fuel and thermal breeder reactors which use thorium-232 as fuel. Fast breeders do not require moderation since the neutrons need to be moving fast, whereas thermal breeders make us of moderation to achieve slower-moving neutrons.

Detailed explanation-2: -Breeder reactors are designed to generate nuclear fuel at the same time as producing energy for electricity production. This is possible because a small number of isotopes will capture neutrons produced in a reactor, starting a reaction that leads to a new, heavy fissile isotope.

Detailed explanation-3: -Fast breeder reactors The plutonium-239 is then bombarded with high-speed neutrons. When a plutonium nucleus absorbs one such free neutron, it splits into two fission fragments. This fissioning releases heat as well as neutrons, which in turn split other plutonium nuclei, freeing still more neutrons.

Detailed explanation-4: -No moderator is used in the breeder reactor since fast neutrons are more efficient in transmuting U-238 to Pu-239. Heavy water is used as a coolant to slow down the neutrons.