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