MSR Review

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MSR Review 5. Lead cooled fast reactor This design is considered along with lead cooled graphite moderated thermal reactors. Both are quite good at a fundamental level and do have real promise, however the challenge is material properties. The lead or lead/bismuth coolant has proved to be incompatible with long reactor life (lots of Russian experience) and novel, non-metallic, materials will probably be needed to achieve that long life. Once that is done however, the system is potentially intrinsically safe and low cost. Unfortunately, most of the knowledge is locked up in Soviet era vaults making development harder and the need for new, non-metallic, materials would make development a long, difficult process. SECTION OVERVIEW • MSRs can be designed with full passive safety and no possibility for widespread dispersion of radioactive substances. • They have high burn up of fuel and produce little long lived waste. • Plant costs can be on a par with fossil fuels. • More advantages are apparent compared with other existing and advanced configurations. Energy Process Developments Ltd. 26
6 MSR Challenges MSR Review Although MSRs have many benefits, implementation involves risk for a first-of-a-kind development as any apparent failure may terminate any programme for further MSR activity. The first operational plant consequently will be brought on line with great caution. Alongside any technical challenges, obstacles include an established solid fuel reactor industry complete with supply chain and regulatory regime. Reactor chemistry is one of the relatively unfamiliar skills that need to develop in an already overburdened setting. The reason for selection of other Gen IV designs than the MSR is often cited as building on experience. However, with a successful MSR experiment in the 1960s, the concept has been demonstrated and a useful amount of experience was acquired. Fortunately, the concept of molten salt ▲ reactors has been kept alive by researchers around the world. Together their research has revealed that little of the required process science and technology remains unknown. Internationally, regulatory changes to deal with radically different design features are needed. In the UK, education and training within the ONR can be put in hand in a timely manner with tangible government support. Obtaining funding is potentially the biggest challenge in the development of any new technology: this is no different for MSRs. This major topic is discussed later. Chemical Reprocessing Plant & Proliferation Resistance Any need to operate an on-site chemical plant to manage core mixture and remove fission ▲ products presents a challenge. This procedure has not been developed commercially. Some existing MSR proposals do not use on-line reprocessing, thus enabling a faster roll out. Online removal of fission products with thermal spectrum ▲ configurations allows a better neutron economy. On-site chemical plant difficulties and costs of transporting radioactive materials are much reduced or eliminated with on-line processing. Proliferation resistance is decreased when the fissile U-233 is separated from other elements on a reprocessing loop. However, the intense gamma radiation emanating from the decay products of U-232, and the need to separate it from U-233 before the U-233 could be used in an explosive device, greatly reduces its potential for terrorist activities. Handling is significantly more complicated than plutonium and the decay products are difficult to conceal. US Government bomb makers have not succeeded with U-233. From their trials U-233 has been ineffective as a component. The explosive energy achieved was 40% rather than an expected 95%. The production of weapon-grade nuclear material from a breeder MSR would require support to a level equal to a large government. Other known routes, including uranium enrichment, are likely to be preferred. International aims today are to reduce nuclear armaments and “burn up” plutonium and other actinides. A good way to do this is using these actinides as fuel in MSRs. A scenario where terrorists take over a breeder MSR and have the skills, apparatus and time needed for a result is an unimaginable scenario. ▲ see Glossary Energy Process Developments Ltd. 27
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Page 19 and 20: MSR Review The Nautilus, commission
Page 21 and 22: MSR Review - bubbling fluorine gas
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Page 31 and 32: 7 Nuclear Regulation MSR Review The
Page 33 and 34: 8 Site Selection MSR Review As part
Page 35 and 36: MSR Review Glossary of Terms Accele
Page 37 and 38: MSR Review Ridge National Laborator
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Page 41 and 42: Appendix A MSR Activity Today
Page 43 and 44: A1 Discussion MSR Review - Appendix
Page 45 and 46: MSR Review - Appendix A MSR Proposa
Page 47 and 48: MSR Review - Appendix A The reproce
Page 49 and 50: MSR Review - Appendix A neutrons ar
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Page 55 and 56: MSR Review - Appendix A Long Term C
Page 57 and 58: MSR Review - Appendix A The Netherl
Page 59 and 60: A5 Japanese MSR Activity MSR Review
Page 61 and 62: Appendix B Early MSR Activity
Page 63 and 64: MSR Review - Appendix B Fuel salt f
Page 65 and 66: Appendix C Public Opinion Poll
Page 67 and 68: MSR Review - Appendix C Q2 To what
Page 69 and 70: Appendix D Table of Nuclear License
Page 71 and 72: MSR Review - Appendix D Site Owner
Page 73 and 74: MSR Review - Appendix E JLT’s Glo
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MSR Review

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