Plutonium and the fast reactor

It is stated that there is widespread misunderstanding about the effects of using fast breeder reactors on the rate of production of plutonium. For instance statements that fast breeder reactors produce more plutonium than a thermal reactor are incorrect if the word 'more' refers to the plutonium made for a given electricity output. It is felt that much of the confusion may be caused by the use of the term 'breeder' as applied to fast reactors and it is shown that the idea that the introduction of fast reactors will create extra stocks of plutonium by the end of the century is false. If thermal reactors were used to generate power that would otherwise have come from fast-breeder reactors, there would be more plutonium created annually, rather than less. It is shown that the fast reactor is the best way of using plutonium to produce electricity and the degree to which plutonium is created in fast reactors is a matter of choice. (U.K.)