Fast Reactors : A Solution to Fight Against Global Warming

Fast Reactors: A Solution to Fight Against Global Warming presents the current status of fast-reactor nuclear generation technology, with a focus on ecology and sustainability benefits for the future. Author Joel Guidez analyzes past failures and limited deployment reasons to help drive this power generation method forward to a cleaner and more sustainable energy environment. The book covers safety aspects, short-life waste management, multirecycling, and biodiversity preservation to provide a well-rounded reference on the topic. Analyzes reasons for past failures and presents the advantages of fast reactors Reviews the status of fast-reactor technology, for sodium fast reactors and molten salt reactors with liquid fuel Presents ways in which fast nuclear reactors can help fight climate change and promote sustainability for the future Front Cover Fast Reactors: A Solution to Fight Against Global Warming Copyright Contents About the author Foreword References Introduction Chapter 1 Where do Homo sapiens get their energy? Some history Global warming What are the energy needs of the future? The return of the electricity fairy? Electrical energy without CO 2 production? A world powered by renewables alone? New research for the future? And nuclear? The new nuclear? Conclusion References Chapter 2 What are the advantages of fast reactors? Fissile and fertile material Reminder on the principle of fast reactors Operation of water reactors without spent fuel reprocessing Water reactors with fuel reprocessing Reminder on the fuel cycle of fast reactors Reactors that no longer need mining and fuel enrichment Almost unlimited energy Energy that produces neither CO 2 nor dust An energy that has almost zero chemical release in reactor operation Operation that minimizes staff dosimetry Energy that decreases the global amount of radioactive waste An energy that can drastically reduce the duration final nuclear waste is hazardous A small ecological footprint Conclusion References Chapter 3 Fast reactors exist, I’ve met them Introduction The very-high-temperature reactor The supercritical water reactor The gas-cooled fast reactor The lead-cooled fast reactor The sodium-cooled fast reactor The molten salt reactor Conclusions Chapter 4 Analysis of the reasons for the failure to deploy sodium-cooled fast reactors globally in 2021 Assessment of sodium-cooled fast reactors in the world in 2021 Technical difficulties specific to the sodium sector? The additional cost compared with PWRs? Industrial domination of PWRs Specific safety issues? The proliferation risk Existence of reprocessing plants Fast reactor fuel manufacturing Social acceptance The loss of skills Uranium availability Conclusions References Chapter 5 What fuel for a sodium-cooled fast reactor? Introduction Oxide fuel Metallic fuel Carbide fuel Nitride fuel Fuel/manufacturing Fuel/reprocessing A choice of fuel according to applications and strategy? Conclusion Chapter 6 Update on the technical state of sodium-cooled fast reactors in Europe The ESFR-SMART project History of sodium-cooled fast reactors in Europe Safety improvement: Objectives and methodology Some examples of safety improvement approach in the ESFR-smart Reactivity control New core concept with reduced sodium void effect Passive control rods Ultrasonic measurements to evaluate core geometry Practically eliminated situations Containment Reactor pit taking over the functions of the safety vessel In-vessel core catcher Massive metallic roof Leak tightness of roof penetrations Decay heat removal Sodium fire Sodium-water reaction Dosimetry and releases Simplicity and human factor Description of ESFR-SMART primary system including these new options General plant characteristics Core Main vessel Inner vessel Reactor roof Reactor pit Dhrs-3 Primary sodium confinement Core support structure and connection to pump Core catcher Primary pump Intermediate heat exchanger Decay heat removal concept Polar table or dome Description of ESFR-SMART secondary loops General description of ESFR-SMART secondary loop Secondary pump Steam generator DHRS-1 system Piping Safety analysis of the secondary loop General layout of the plant Handling systems Spent fuel handling Fresh fuel handling Handling of components Conclusions on safety improvements R&D needs for ESFR-smart options Conclusion Acknowledgment References Chapter 7 Update on molten salt fast reactors Principle of operation of molten salt reactors The possible types of MSR Experience feedback on MSRs Choice of salt (FLiBe) The materials Neutronics and flows in the primary Heat extraction Salt processing Final balance sheet The potential benefits of MSRs The advantages of MSR in terms of safety The advantages of MSRs in terms of the fuel cycle Incineration The advantages of MSR in terms of network monitoring Startup of the reactor Reactor shutdown The potential advantages of MSRs in terms of compactness Situation of MSRs in the world in 2021 Chinese program Russian program Indian program Anglo-Saxon startup projects Terrestrial energy’s integral molten salt reactor in Canada The TerraPower molten chloride fast reactor The molten chloride salt fast reactor of elysium industry The transatomic power reactor (project of MIT) Thorcon power Liquid fluoride thorium reactor of flibe energy Analysis of the different concepts Special situation of France The technical challenges of MSRs Choice of salt Neutronic Neutronics and isotope separation Choice of material Salt/fuel chemistry Fission gas management Choice of intermediate fluid The components Pumps Exchangers Valves Preheating Drain tanks Electricity generating circuit Instrumentation Temperature measurement Flowrate measurements Neutron measurements Level and pressure measurements Monitoring the chemical compositions of salt Leak detection/dosimetry In-service inspection Security approach and licensing Confinement Evacuation of residual power Initiating event lists Barriers Conclusion on safety Waste and dismantling Reprocessing Proliferation Conclusion References Chapter 8 Conclusion: What future for fast reactors and our planet? Appendix 1 Appendix 1: Lessons learned from sodium-cooled fast reactor operation Sodium-water reactions Handling operations Operation of primary components (pumps and exchangers) Spurious leaks or transfers of sodium Intake of air or impurities or gas Experience from fuel and clad failures Material problems Neutronic operations and control Sodium aerosols Conclusion References Appendix 2 Appendix 2: Industrial demonstration of the fuel cycle of a sodium-cooled fast reactor Phénix fuel reprocessing experiment Review of experience feedback on reprocessing techniques Conclusion on the reprocessing Feedback on fuel fabrication Applications for the reactors of the future Further reading Appendix 3 Appendix 3: Choice of fuel salt for a U/Pu cycle molten salt reactor Treatment of fluoride salts Operating and U/Pu solubility temperatures for chlorides Neutron analysis of the different types of salts Treatment of chloride salts General conclusion and recommendations References Index Back Cover