Editing Fast-neutron reactor (section)

==History==
[[File:Shevchenko BN350 desalinati.jpg|thumb|The BN-350 reactor was also used for desalination of sea water.]]

US interest in breeder reactors were muted by [[Jimmy Carter]]'s April 1977 decision to defer construction of breeders in the US due to proliferation concerns, and the suboptimal operating record of France's [[Superphénix]] reactor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Nuclear-Power/Process-Banned-By-President-Carter-Could-Solve-US-Nuclear-Waste-Problem.html#:~:text=Reprocessing%20of%20nuclear%20fuel%20waste,to%20make%20new%20nuclear%20fuel.|title = Process Banned by President Carter Could Solve U.S. Nuclear Waste Problem}}</ref> The French reactors also met with serious opposition of environmentalist groups, who regarded these as very dangerous.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/08929880902953013|title=Fast Breeder Reactors in France|first=MYCLE|last=SCHNEIDER|date=June 26, 2009|journal=Science & Global Security|volume=17|issue=1|pages=36–53|via=Taylor and Francis+NEJM|doi=10.1080/08929880902953013|bibcode=2009S&GS...17...36S|s2cid=122789053|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Despite such setbacks, a number of countries still invest in the fast reactor technology. Around 25 reactors have been built since the 1970s, accumulating over 400 reactor years of experience.

A 2008 [[IAEA]] proposal for a Fast Reactor Knowledge Preservation System<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1320_web.pdf|title=Fast Reactor Knowledge Preservation System: Taxonomy and Basic Requirements}}</ref> noted that:
<blockquote>
during the past 15 years there has been stagnation in the development of fast reactors in the industrialized countries that were involved, earlier, in intensive development of this area. All studies on fast reactors have been stopped in countries such as Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the only work being carried out is related to the decommissioning of fast reactors. Many specialists who were involved in the studies and development work in this area in these countries have already retired or are close to retirement. In countries such as France, Japan and the Russian Federation that are still actively pursuing the evolution of fast reactor technology, the situation is aggravated by the lack of young scientists and engineers moving into this branch of nuclear power. 
</blockquote>

As of 2021, Russia operates two fast reactors on a commercial scale.<ref name="pris_russia"/> The [[GEN IV initiative]], an international working group on new reactor designs has proposed six new reactor types, three of which would operate with a fast spectrum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gen-4.org/gif/jcms/c_59461/generation-iv-systems|title=Home - Generation IV Systems|website=GIF Portal}}</ref>