Thorium breeder reactors as a power source for 21st century and beyond

Abstract

SummaryTo meet the world energy demands, all forms of renewable energy sources should be exploited to reduce and possibly eliminate the presently predominant use of chemical energy source of fossil fuels that have a high rate of carbon emission. Nuclear energy from fission reactors is well established. It has less carbon footprint and also has the advantage of continuous base load supply compared with other renewable like solar or wind energy. Public acceptance of nuclear energy is being regained with wide institutional support for ensuring highest level of safety in Gen-III+ reactors. The R&D on innovative types of nuclear design is also essential to enable both growth and sustenance of nuclear energy. It is necessary to explore ways and means of the complete utilization of both fissile and fertile components of the nuclear fuel, which is possible only through closing of the fuel cycle and allowing multiple reuse of the fuel.Induction of fertile thorium and the depleted uranium in large measure would widen the nuclear material base and ensure energy supply for centuries. The idea of thorium breeders discussed and presented by the author can be studied by several competent groups world over. After a comprehensive research, they can be deployed to provide energy for the 21st century and beyond.

Comparison of homogeneous and heterogeneous thorium fuel blocks with four drivers in advanced high temperature reactors

“…With the development of nuclear energy, the utilization of thorium has been discussed in various types of reactors with varying intensity, particularly in pressurized water reactors (PWRs), boiling water reactors, heavy water reactors, Canadian deuterium natural uranium reactors, molten salt reactors (MSRs), hybrid systems, accelerator‐driven systems, high temperature reactors (HTRs), breeder reactors, as well as in fast reactors . Thorium has gained considerable amount of interest because of its many advantages that;characterize it as fuel.…”

Cobalt‐based coordination polymer as high activity electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction: Catalysis by novel active site CoO 4 N 2

“…As a result, many new energy sources have emerged, such as solar energy, 1,2 hydrogen energy, 3,4 shale gas, 5 and nuclear energy. 6,7 In recent decades, many converter of hydrogen energy have been applied, such as proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) which has received widespread attention and is deemed to be a most promising new energy sources, owing to its zero emission, high specific capacity, and long cycling life. [8][9][10] Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which react at the cathode and has a slow kinetics.…”

“…In the wake of the demand for energy in society is ever‐growing, together with environmental pollution and the exhaustion of traditional fossil energy, the researches for clean, economical and efficient energies are of great importance. As a result, many new energy sources have emerged, such as solar energy, hydrogen energy, shale gas, and nuclear energy . In recent decades, many converter of hydrogen energy have been applied, such as proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) which has received widespread attention and is deemed to be a most promising new energy sources, owing to its zero emission, high specific capacity, and long cycling life .…”

Development of innovative reactor-integrated coolant system design concept for a small modular lead fast reactor

“…The development of the GEN‐IV nuclear reactors, including lead fast reactors, sodium fast reactors, and molten salt reactors, has been conducted worldwide, because they could potentially serve as future clean, safe, and massive energy sources by enhancing the utilization of uranium resources . The focuses of this generation are radioactive pollution minimization, reactor safety, and reactor size reduction . Small modular lead‐cooled fast reactors (SMLFRs) are among the alternatives satisfying these criteria, especially in safety, which requires the development of an entirely new approach based on heat removal by steady‐state natural circulation .…”

“…1 The focuses of this generation are radioactive pollution minimization, reactor safety, and reactor size reduction. [1][2][3] Small modular lead-cooled fast reactors (SMLFRs) are among the alternatives satisfying these criteria, especially in safety, which requires the development of an entirely new approach based on heat removal by steady-state natural circulation. 4 Natural circulation is used in the primary cooling system using lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) coolant, which is composed of 44.5% lead and 55.5% bismuth at the full 100 MW t power of the reactor.…”