Why No one is talking about this?? - Page 3

That's indeed an achievement, especially in regard to the reasons why fast breeders got shut down/didn't operate in so many countries (including mine):

A résumé by AI: Fast breeder nuclear reactors (FBRs) were largely shut down or abandoned by many countries due to a combination of prohibitive operating costs, technical complexities, safety issues, and a lack of economic competitiveness compared to conventional reactors. While they were designed to "breed" more fuel (plutonium) than they consume to extend uranium resources, they proved expensive and technically challenging to operate.

Key reasons for the decline of fast breeder reactors include:

• Prohibitive Economics & Low Uranium Prices: The primary driver for developing FBRs was the fear that uranium supplies would run out, making fuel recycling necessary. However, uranium prices remained low and reserves high, making mined uranium much cheaper than the high cost of operating FBRs and their associated reprocessing facilities.
• Technical Challenges with Sodium Coolant: Most fast breeder reactors use liquid sodium to transfer heat. Sodium is highly reactive and catches fire upon contact with air or water, creating severe safety risks. Major projects like Japan's Monju and France's Superphénix faced significant leaks and corrosion issues related to this cooling system.
• Safety and Public Perception: Following significant nuclear accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima, public concern regarding nuclear safety strengthened opposition, particularly against FBRs, which were perceived as riskier.
• Nuclear Proliferation Concerns: FBRs involve the separation and production of plutonium, creating a risk that this fuel could be used for weapons, which led to tighter regulations and political opposition.
• Operational Failures & Unreliability: FBRs often struggled to maintain high efficiency. For example, France's Superphénix, while designed to run for decades, spent a significant portion of its life inoperative due to technical issues before being shut down in 1997.

There are reasons why Russia is the world leader in fast-neutron reactor technology with - currently - operating two primary commercial-scale fast breeder reactors, and a third, even larger commercial unit, being under development.

While other countries have experimental or research-focused fast reactors, Russia and India are leading in commercial-scale applications, particularly with India's focus on bridging to a thorium-based fuel cycle.

China may become the third one...