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To: frithguild
"U-233 is fissile and has been used for a bomb."

Yes, I'm well aware of that (minored in nuclear science while getting my PhD in chemistry). But the reaction characteristics of the two isotopes are different, and 233 is NOT the isotope used in U-Pu "burner" and/or "breeder" reactors reactors. That is 235. And for an article that claims to be authoritative, that mistake is NOT one that should have been made.

24 posted on 01/31/2015 11:26:09 AM PST by Wonder Warthog (Newly fledged NRA Life Member (after many years as an "annual renewal" sort))
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To: Wonder Warthog

Yes, many mistakes in the article - some pretty funny.

A LFTR needs U-233 to start the reaction, as I understand it. Then Thorium decay cycle maintains the reaction with a minimum of resulting actinides. Not really a burner fast neutron reactor.

The TE IMSR looks like it will use Uranium decay cycle, so more actinides. Good for burning “spent” fuel is the thinking I suppose.


30 posted on 01/31/2015 2:21:12 PM PST by frithguild (The warmth and goodness of Gaia is a nuclear reactor in the Earth's core that burns Thorium)
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To: Wonder Warthog

U233- more neutrons available for fuel breeding.


40 posted on 02/01/2015 9:54:28 AM PST by Ozark Tom
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