TECHNOLOGY

Generation IV

Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems

Among new systems most of them are operating with closed fuel cycle. They use natural resources more efficiently and less amount of natural uranium and plutonium is removed as nuclear waste for further storage. Three systems are fast neutron reactors. They do not use moderator and do not slow down fast neutrons. It makes fuel multiplication possible - burning the fuel that cannot be used in today reactors (some isotopes do not undergo fission reaction). One design is fast neutron reactor - ready. Such construction can be built as fast neutron reactor. One concept is called as epithermal and two operate like today reactors. Generation IV FNR reactors do not produce Pu-239 in way that it can be removed and used. This is for the proliferation protection. Plutonium is obviously present in the core. It must be in principle.

Water is a coolant only in one system. Others are cooled by helium, lead bismuth, sodium or fluoride salt. Four designs operate with coolant temperature over 500ºC up to 1000ºC. Today reactors are operating at level of 330ºC. It causes new designs are usable to hydrogen production (thermochemical).[50],[51],[52],[53]

  • Copyrights 2011 © Michal Wierzbowski