Energy Multiplier Module
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The Energy Multiplier Module (EM² or EM squared) is a
Design specifications
EM2 is an advanced modular reactor expected to produce 265 MWe (500 MWth) of power with evaporative cooling (240 MWe with dry cooling) at a core outlet temperature of 850 °C (1,600 °F). The reactor will be fully enclosed in an underground containment structure for 30 years without requiring refueling.[3] EM2 differs from current reactors in that it does not use water coolant but is instead a gas-cooled fast reactor, which uses helium as a coolant for an additional level of safety. The reactor uses a composite of silicon carbide as a fuel cladding material and zirconium silicide as neutron reflector material. The reactor unit is coupled to direct-drive helium closed-cycle gas turbine which drives a generator to produce electricity.
The nuclear core design is based upon a new conversion technique in which an initial "starter" section of the core provides the
Substantial amounts of usable fissile material remain in the EM2 core at the end of life. This material can be reused as the starter for the second generation of EM2s, without conventional
All EM2 heavy metal discharges could be recycled into new EM2 units, effectively closing the nuclear fuel cycle, which minimizes nuclear proliferation risks and the need for long-term repositories to secure nuclear materials.
Economics and workforce capacity
EM2 power costs are expected to be lower due to high power conversion (from thermal input to electric output) efficiency, a reduced number of components, and long core life. EM2 is expected to achieve a thermal efficiency of above 50% due to its high core outlet temperature and closed Brayton power cycle. The Brayton cycle eliminates many expensive components, including steam generators, pressurizers, condensers, and feedwater pumps. The design would utilize only 1/6th of the nuclear concrete of a conventional light water reactor.[8]
Each module can be manufactured in either U.S. domestic or foreign facilities using replacement parts manufacturing and supply chain management with large components shipped by commercial truck or rail to a site for final assembly, where it will be fully enclosed in an underground containment structure. Dry cooling capability allows siting in locations without a source of cooling water.
If the reactor is to become part of a
Nuclear waste
EM2 can burn used
Spent fuel rods from conventional nuclear reactors are put into storage and considered to be
Non-proliferation
By using spent nuclear waste and depleted uranium stockpiles as its fuel source, a large-scale deployment of the EM2 could reduce the long-term need for uranium enrichment and eliminate conventional nuclear reprocessing, which requires plutonium separation.[10]
Conventional light water reactors require refueling every 18 months. EM2's 30-year fuel cycle minimizes the need for fuel handling and reduces access to fuel material, thus reducing proliferation concerns.
Nuclear safety and security
EM2 utilizes passive safety systems designed to safely shutdown the reactor in emergency conditions using only gravity and natural convection.[11] Control rods are automatically inserted during a loss-of-power incident via gravity. Natural convection flow is used to cool the core during whole site loss of power incidents. No external water supply is necessary for emergency cooling. The use of silicon carbide as fuel cladding in the core ensures no hydrogen production during accident scenarios and allows an extended period of response when compared to Zircaloy metal cladding used in current reactors.
Underground siting improves safety and security of the plant against terrorism and other threats.
EM2's high
See also
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Nuclear Energy Institute
- Nuclear power
- Nuclear safety in the United States
- Economics of new nuclear power plants
- United States Department of Energy
References
- ^ Logan Jenkins (10 January 2013). "JENKINS: Hot young prospect to replace old San Onofre reactors". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
- San Diego Union Tribune.
- ^ "Advanced Reactors". General Atomics. Retrieved Feb 19, 2018.
- ^ "With Disposal Uncertain, Waste Burning Reactors Gain Traction – EM2 to Burn LWR Fuel," Nuclear New Build Monitor, March 15, 2010
- .
- ^ "Advanced Reactors". General Atomics. Retrieved Feb 19, 2018.
- .
- ^ Smith, Rebecca (Feb 22, 2010). "General Atomics Proposes a Plant That Runs on Nuclear Waste". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Parmentola, John (March 11, 2010). "Letter to the Editor in Response to "Nuclear power – not a green option – it generates radioactive waste; it requires uranium that's dangerous to mine; it's hugely expensive,"". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Fairley, Peter (May 11, 2010). "7. "Downsizing Nuclear Power Plants – Modular designs rely on 'economies of multiples' to make small reactors pay off big,"". IEEE Spectrum.
- ^ "Advanced Reactors". General Atomics. Retrieved Feb 19, 2018.
- ^ "Small Nuclear Power Reactors". World Nuclear Association. August 2010. Archived from the original on 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2010-09-09.
External links
- Official website
- 2011-11-28: Presentation about the EM2 reactor at the Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California-Berkeley, ustream video Previous presentation
- 2015-05: Committee on Science, Space and Technology: [1]