It's so damned frustrating that ChatGPT isn't as nuclear-smart as it's smart about other topics.
Nick, I don't for an instant doubt your knowledge. To help you understand how ignorant newbies like myself stay ignorant, here's what I learned from ChatGPT, which disagrees strongly with itself depending on which model you choose.
When I asked GPT 4o-mini, it told me the BN-800 offers an impressive 100GWd/t burn-up ratio and relatively low waste volume, but only a 1.0 to 1.1 CR, with a doubling time of at least 50 years, implying it's barely better than an isobreeder and couldn't possibly fulfill the vision you described of one high-CR breeder providing enough RGPu to MOX-fuel 5 more LWRs.
So I applied the first doctrine of ChatGPT-based research (if you don't like Daddy's answer, try asking Mommy). I switched to the newer GPT 4.5 model and asked it the exact same question, with identical prompt text.
GPT4.5 says the BN-800 is a high burn-up ratio MOX-fueled sodium fast reactor with a CR of only 0.89, and a burn-up ratio of only 66MWd/kg meaning it's not even an isobreeder and can't possibly supply fuel to any other reactor(s).
Curiously, 4o-mini reported the burn-up in units of GWd/t while GPT 4.5 used MWd/kg. These seem equivalent to me, but I'd think one notation or the other would be standardized.
For anyone interested, here's a link to the GPT exchange above. The first time I asked the same question, the model picker was set to o4-mini. 2nd pass was GPT 4.5:
chatgpt.com/share/680589d3-e…
So I was forced to apply the 2nd doctrine of ChatGPT research: When you don't like Mommy or Daddy's answer, ask Uncle ReasoningModel. So I pasted the exact same prompt into the brand new, just-released o3 model, which appears to replace o1-Pro. Here's o3's answer:
chatgpt.com/share/68058b81-1…
GPT o3 (their latest premium-grade model, "best at reasoning") seems to side with GPT 4.5, claiming the BN-800 is a 66-69MWd/kg net burner with a CR of only 0.89.
Nick, just to be super-clear, I am NOT doubting your knowledge. Just wanted you to understand why it is that us "Thorium Bros" don't always have accurate information. It's because the publicly available information is scant, incomplete, and apparently, just plain wrong in many cases.
I remain quite intrigued by the notion of a small fleet of Uranium breeders with a CR>1.3 making enough RGPu to fuel 5x as many MOX-fueled LWRs. But the data available to me seems to indicate this isn't possible.
Any advice on what I should be reading instead of relying on ChatGPT?
Serious (non-sarcastic) side note: GPT 5 is expected to be released next month, and at the rate AI is advancing, it could be a whole new ballgame. I'll hit it up with this same exact prompt soon as it's released.
Thanks Nick!