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The initial loading requires approximately 150 kg of U-235 at 15%
1
enrichment.
If loaded with plutonium about 90 kg are needed, alloyed with
U-238. The first charge which uses plutonium will probably be a combination
of Pu and U~-235.
The design objective 4s 2% burn-up on a 135-day cycle, with
a maximum fuel temperature of 1200°F,
“|
of
Maximum sodium coolant temperature is
500°F,
“|
The current schedule for EBR-II is as follows:
Mock-up built by end of 195k.
Calculations and experiment to July 1955, at which time the
Architect-Engineer comes in and plant design starts.
Building construction begins at Arco April 1956.
Reactor ready for initial operations January 1958,
Fast exponential experiments are being pushed concurrently and Argonne
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is. building a critical assembly.
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In assessing the Fast Breeder program and possibilities, we were impressed
by the difficulties and uncertainties ahead.
The promise of true breeding
inherent in this approach to commerical power justifies strong development
effort, and we approve the Argonne program although we feel that its current
schedule may be overly optimistic.
The Fast Breeder offers Little hope for
early success in making competitive power ~- rather, it seems to be a long-
range prospect for the time when other nuclear power plants are short of
fissionable material and may be looking for the most efficient uses for the
plutonium which they produce,
This conservative view should by no means
obscure recognition of the great advances in the reactor art resulting from
Argonne's past and continuing enthusiasm for the Fast Breeder.