What future for the 'breeder'

Papers presented at a two-day symposium on fast breeder reactors organized by Scientific and Technical Studies (Oyez IBC Ltd.) held in May 1981 are reviewed. In an overview of the symposium Sir Samuel Curran stated that, if it is agreed that in spite of the conservation of energy nevertheless the ambitions of most peoples will result in a total increase in consumption and therefore a need for fission as a major resource, then the breeder is the way to provide the bulk of that fission energy. Specific subjects examined in papers included future demand, energy conservation, economic factors in the introduction of fast reactors, the plutonium economy, national programmes, world uranium supply, and plutonium supply and demand. (U.K.)