DAVID VAN WAGENERNOVEMBER 26, 2008
CHE 384: TECHNOLOGY REPORT
Nuclear Power: Advanced Generations and Outlook
Why do we like nuclear power?
Nuclear power production has “zero emissions” 97% of waste is low/intermediate level
Safer designs are being engineered, making a “Chernobyl” far less likely
Nuclear power boasts greater efficiency than older technologies
Nuclear Power Basics
Sustained nuclear fission of heavy elements releases energy Fission is controlled by using
neutron poisons and moderators
Enuclear = 1e8 * Echemical
Annual fuel for 1000 MW plant 3 million tons of coal 36 tons of enriched uranium
Thermal energy from fission creates steam for power production
Generations of Nuclear Technology
Generation I Prototype technology, very few still operational First reactor designs developed in 1950s and 1960s Run on natural uranium (0.7% 235U), moderated with
graphite
Generation II Includes reactor designs most widely found today Produced through 1990s Mostly run on enriched uranium (3-4% 235U), water
moderated Design types include:
Boiling water reactor Pressurized water reactor
New Generation Technology
Generation III Implements enhanced safety features compared to
Generation II These “advanced reactors” and began utilizing:
Standard designs between all models Improved models with extended operating lives (≈60 years) Higher burn up, reducing fuel use and waste “Passive safety mechanisms” Natural resistance to high temperatures
Design types include: Light water reactors (advanced BWR’s, advanced PWR’ s) Heavy water reactors (CANDU)
Future Technologies
Generation III+ More advanced safety features Plans have been adopted, operational plants by 2010
Generation IV Heavily researched, but only theoretical (so far) Advanced designs use new coolants like supercritical
water, helium, and molten salt Like previous generation advancements, the primary
focus is: Improved safety mechanisms Decreased cost of construction and operation
Pebble Bed Reactors
Very high-temperature gas cooled reactor
Helium cools fuel pebbles and transfers thermal energy to turbines Helium does not carry radioactivity
“Pebble” fuel contains uranium oxycarbide fuel coated in carbon layers, surrounded by graphite and encased in silicon carbide
Generates heat up to 1000°C, ideal for applications like S-I cycle for H2 production
A Future for Nuclear Energy?
Approximate uranium resources = 5500 ktAnnual usage = 65 kt
15% of global demand, 20% of US demandUranium reserves will run out in:
84 years at current usage rate 42 years if nuclear power becomes 100% of US energy 13 years if nuclear power becomes 100% of global
energyThorium has larger reserves and is proposed
as alternate fuelBreeder reactors are considered a solution,
but their safety is scrutinized
Conclusions
Evolving nuclear technology is developing safer and more efficient plants
Future generation technology could help support a hydrogen economy
“The End of Uranium” could be a heavy factor determining the upcoming role of uranium in energy production
Chernobyl and Three Mile Island still make people wary to fully welcome nuclear power
References
DOE. (2003, January). DOE Fundamentals Handbook: Nuclear Physics and Reactor Theory. Retrieved November 9, 2008, from http://www.hss.energy.gov/NuclearSafety/techstds/standard/hdbk1019/h1019v2.pdf
DOE. (n.d.). What Is Generation IV? Retrieved November 10, 2008, from U. S. Department of Energy: http://www.ne.doe.gov/GenIV/neGenIV1.html
Gen IV International Forum. (n.d.). GEN-4: Technology: Systems. Retrieved November 7, 2008, from http://www.gen-4.org/Technology/systems/vhtr.htm
Hore-Lacy, I. (2008, March 3). Nuclear Power Reactor. Retrieved November 9, 2008, from Encyclopedia of Earth: http://www.eoearth.org/article/Nuclear_power_reactor
Laboratoire de Physique. (2001, November). Molten Salt Reactors Based on the Th-U3 Fuel Cycle. Retrieved November 11, 2008, from http://lpsc.in2p3.fr/gpr/english/MSR/MSR.html
Tester, J. W., Drake, E. M., Driscoll, M. J., Golay, M. W., & Peters, W. A. (2005). Sustainable Energy. Boston: MIT Press.
Westinghouse. (n.d.). PWR Cycle. Retrieved November 9, 2008, from Nuclear Tourist: http://www.nucleartourist.com/type/pwr_cycle.htm
WNA. (2006, June). Radioactive Wastes-Myths and Realities. Retrieved November 9, 2008, from World Nuclear Association: http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf103.html
World Nuclear Association. (2008, June). Supply of Uranium: WNA. Retrieved November 7, 2008, from http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf75.html
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