Natrium reactor: Difference between revisions

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{{seealso|Nuclear_power_reconsidered}}
{{Image|Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor.png|right|350px|Sodium Cooled Fast Reactor.}}
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{{Image|Natrium fuel.png|right|350px|Improved fuel rod design allows higher burnup.}}


The '''Natrium reactor''' is a [[Fast neutron reactor|Fast Neutron Reactor]] using uranium metal as the fuel and molten sodium as the coolant.<ref name=NatriumSite/> See [[Integral Fast Reactor]] for more discussion of the technology behind this design.


A '''Natrium reactor''' is a fast reactor using molten sodium as the coolant. Development funded by Bill Gates. Like the [[Molten_chloride_salt_fast_reactor|MCSFR]], capable of burning spent nuclear fuel. <ref>https://natriumpower.com</ref>
This article will address the issues raised in the parent article [[Nuclear power reconsidered]].


This is a suggested outline for an article on a specific reactor design.<br/>
{{TOC}}
It should address the issues raised in the parent article [[Nuclear power reconsidered]]<br/>
 
{{Image|ThorCon Can.png|right|350px|Diagram and specifications for the reactor.<ref>This is a footnote to an image caption.</ref>}}
Brief description of the key features of this reactor.<ref>This is a footnote with a [https://thorconpower.com/docs/docs_v130_isle20190315.pdf LINK] to an external reference.</ref>


== Safety ==
== Safety ==
'''Accidental overheating.''' Add text here.
'''Accidental overheating.''' The pool of molten sodium has enough heat capacity to absorb the decay heat if there is a total loss of power. Hot sodium will rise by convection and continue the flow of coolant through the core. Proponents of nuclear power call this "walk-away safe".


Sodium coolant can burn when exposed to air or water, and the Natrium reactor could experience uncontrollable power surges that result in core melting.<ref>Elliot Negin (UCS), Commentary on Science in the News, Scientific American, Nov 2021, p.10.</ref>
'''Leakage of Radioactivity''' There are no penetrations that could leak in the vessel containing the primary sodium. Secondary sodium is non-radioactive, so a leak in that piping would not be a radiation hazard. The chamber containing sodium circuits can be flooded with argon to suppress any fires.


'''Leakage of Radioactivity''' Add text here.
'''Sabotage''' The reactor vessel and all radioactive components are below ground level, under heavy concrete barriers. If a terrorist or rogue operator were to try and force a meltdown, the fuel in the rods would melt before the steel cladding and the reaction would stop.<ref name=fuelmelt/> Melted fuel would remain within the rods.<ref name=fueltest/>
 
'''Sabotage''' Add text here.


== Waste Management ==
== Waste Management ==
Add text here.
Fast Neutron Reactors can achieve a much higher burnup of the fuel, resulting in fewer grams of spent fuel per megawatt-day compared to Light Water Reactors.<ref name=burnup/><br>
Metal fuel is more easily recycled that standard oxide fuels. This provides much more power from the same fuel.<ref name=recycling/><br>
In a [[Fast neutron reactor|Fast Neutron Reactor]] most fission products can go back into the reactor with the recycled fuel, reducing the High Level Waste stream.<ref name=lessHLW/><br>
Long-lived actinides are greatly reduced in a Fast Neutron Reactor.<ref name=lessActinides/>


== Weapons Proliferation ==
== Weapons Proliferation ==
Add text here.
Uranium is never more than 20% enriched. Plutonium is burned as fast as it is produced. While it may be possible to extract from the spent fuel a small amount of plutonium, it is contaminated with radioactive nuclides unsuitable for [[Nuclear_proliferation|bomb making]]. A rogue dictator will find it much easier to go the route of every other rogue so far, just buy centrifuges and enrich uranium.


== Cost ==
== Cost ==
'''Plant cost per KW:'''<br/>
Specs for a 500MWe plant:<br/>
'''Operating cost per MWh:'''
'''Plant cost per KW (including building but not land, permits or licensing):'''<br/>
'''Operating cost per KWh (including fuel and maintenance):'''<br/>
'''Initial fuel load:'''<br/>
'''Fuel consumption per day:'''<br/>
 
== Further Reading ==
''PLENTIFUL ENERGY The Story of the Integral Fast Reactor'', CHARLES E. TILL and YOON IL CHANG, 2011.
[http://www.thesciencecouncil.com/pdfs/PlentifulEnergy.pdf] A thorough presentation of the design and testing of a metal-fueled, sodium-cooled fast reactor.


== Notes and References ==
== Notes and References ==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=burnup> text here
</ref>
<ref name=fuelmelt> text here
</ref>
<ref name=fueltest> text here
</ref>
<ref name=lessActinides> text here
</ref>
<ref name=lessHLW> text here
</ref>
<ref name=NatriumSite>[https://natriumpower.com NatriumPower.com]
</ref>
<ref name=recycling> text here
</ref>
}}

Latest revision as of 14:13, 12 November 2023

This article is developing and not approved.
Main Article
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Related Articles  [?]
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This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.
Sodium Cooled Fast Reactor.
Improved fuel rod design allows higher burnup.

The Natrium reactor is a Fast Neutron Reactor using uranium metal as the fuel and molten sodium as the coolant.[1] See Integral Fast Reactor for more discussion of the technology behind this design.

This article will address the issues raised in the parent article Nuclear power reconsidered.

Safety

Accidental overheating. The pool of molten sodium has enough heat capacity to absorb the decay heat if there is a total loss of power. Hot sodium will rise by convection and continue the flow of coolant through the core. Proponents of nuclear power call this "walk-away safe".

Leakage of Radioactivity There are no penetrations that could leak in the vessel containing the primary sodium. Secondary sodium is non-radioactive, so a leak in that piping would not be a radiation hazard. The chamber containing sodium circuits can be flooded with argon to suppress any fires.

Sabotage The reactor vessel and all radioactive components are below ground level, under heavy concrete barriers. If a terrorist or rogue operator were to try and force a meltdown, the fuel in the rods would melt before the steel cladding and the reaction would stop.[2] Melted fuel would remain within the rods.[3]

Waste Management

Fast Neutron Reactors can achieve a much higher burnup of the fuel, resulting in fewer grams of spent fuel per megawatt-day compared to Light Water Reactors.[4]
Metal fuel is more easily recycled that standard oxide fuels. This provides much more power from the same fuel.[5]
In a Fast Neutron Reactor most fission products can go back into the reactor with the recycled fuel, reducing the High Level Waste stream.[6]
Long-lived actinides are greatly reduced in a Fast Neutron Reactor.[7]

Weapons Proliferation

Uranium is never more than 20% enriched. Plutonium is burned as fast as it is produced. While it may be possible to extract from the spent fuel a small amount of plutonium, it is contaminated with radioactive nuclides unsuitable for bomb making. A rogue dictator will find it much easier to go the route of every other rogue so far, just buy centrifuges and enrich uranium.

Cost

Specs for a 500MWe plant:
Plant cost per KW (including building but not land, permits or licensing):
Operating cost per KWh (including fuel and maintenance):
Initial fuel load:
Fuel consumption per day:

Further Reading

PLENTIFUL ENERGY The Story of the Integral Fast Reactor, CHARLES E. TILL and YOON IL CHANG, 2011. [1] A thorough presentation of the design and testing of a metal-fueled, sodium-cooled fast reactor.

Notes and References

  1. NatriumPower.com
  2. text here
  3. text here
  4. text here
  5. text here
  6. text here
  7. text here