Renewable Nuclear: All about Breeder Reactors

In the early days of nuclear power uranium was thought to be a critically rare mineral. Nuclear engineers sought to solve this problem with a special type of reactor that produced more fissile material than they consume. Nick Touran joins me to discuss and explore the long term sustainability of nuclear power.

0:00 - Introduction: Nuclear Historian Nick Touran Returns to Decouple
0:48 - The History of Breeder Reactors: From Uranium Scarcity to Abundance
3:13 - How Breeder Reactors Work: Harnessing the Power of Uranium-238 & Thorium
6:56 - Minimizing Nuclear Waste: Breeder Reactors and the Circular Economy
11:06 - The Challenges of Reprocessing Spent Nuclear Fuel: Proliferation Concerns & Economic Barriers
16:01 - The Rise & Fall of Breeder Reactor Programs: From Clinch River to Superphénix
22:03 - Technical Hurdles & Operational Experience: Sodium Fast Reactors & Beyond
33:35 - The Long Road to Commercial Viability: Lessons from Candu & Advanced Reactors
42:05 - Innovation & Investment: Who Will Fund the Future of Breeder Reactors?
50:02 - The Future of Breeder Reactors: Sustainability, Economics & Global Energy Security
54:32 - Fueling a Nuclear Future: Insights from the Net-Zero Nuclear Summit
57:01 - Conclusion: The Importance of Breeder Reactor Development

Support Decouple on Patreon:   / decouple  
Learn more about Decouple Media: https://www.decouplemedia.org