Scientists from the School of Nuclear Science & Engineering of Tomsk Polytechnic University are developing a technology enabling the creation of high-temperature gas-cool low-power reactors with thorium fuel.
TPU scientists propose to burn weapons-grade plutonium in these units, converting it into power and thermal energy. Thermal energy generated at thorium reactors may be used in hydrogen industrial production. The technology also makes it possible to desalinate water.
The results of the study were published in Annals of Nuclear Energy (IF 1.312; Q2).
Thorium reactors provide for their application in areas where there are no large water bodies and rivers, the presence of which is an obligatory condition to build a classical reactor. For example, they can be used in arid areas, as well as in remote areas of Siberia and the Arctic.
Associate Professor Sergey Bedenko from the School of Nuclear Science & Engineering tells: ‘As a rule, a nuclear power plant is constructed on the riverside. Water is taken from the river and used in the active zone of the reactor for cooling. In thorium reactors, helium is applied, as well as carbon dioxide (CO2) or hydrogen, instead of water. Thus, water is not required.’
The mixture of thorium and weapons-grade plutonium is the fuel for the new kind of reactors.
Sergey Bedenko continues: ‘Large amounts of weapons-grade plutonium were accumulated in the Soviet era. The cost for storing this fuel is enormous, and it needs to be disposed of. In the US, it is chemically processed and burned, and in Russia, it is burned in the reactors. However, some amount of plutonium still remains, and it needs to be disposed of in radioactive waste landfills. Our technology improves this drawback since it allows burning 97% of weapons-grade plutonium. When all weapons-grade plutonium is disposed of, it will be possible to use uranium-235 or uranium-233 in thorium reactors.’
Notably, the plant is capable of operating at low capacity (from 60 MWt), the core thorium reactors require a little fuel and the percentage of its burnup is higher than that at currently used reactors. The remaining 3% of processed weapons-grade plutonium will no longer present a nuclear hazard. At the output, a mixture of graphite, plutonium and decay products is formed, which is difficult to apply for other purposes. These wastes can only be buried.
Sergey Bedenko summarizes: ‘The main advantage of such plants will be their multi-functionality.
Firstly, we efficiently dispose one of the most dangerous radioactive fuels in thorium reactors, secondly, we generate power and heat, thirdly, with its help, it will be possible to develop industrial hydrogen production.’
The authors of the study inform that the advantage of such reactors is their higher level of security in comparison with traditional designs, enhanced efficiency (up to 40-50%), absence of phase transitions of the coolant, increased corrosion resistance of working surfaces, possibility of using different fuels and their overload in operation, and simplified management of spent nuclear fuel.
Thorium fuel can be used both in thorium reactors and widely spread VVER-1000 reactors. The scientists expect these reactors to function at least 10-20 years, and when this fuel is spent, the core reactor may either be reloaded or disposed of. In addition, water can be desalinated at thorium reactors.
Learn more: Thorium reactors may dispose of enormous amounts of weapons-grade plutonium
The Latest on: Thorium reactors
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Thorium reactors” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Thorium reactors
- Precise Thorium Nuclear Transition Measured with Innovative Laser Excitation: New Developmentson April 30, 2024 at 11:38 pm
They have utilized laser technology to excite not the electrons of an atom, but the dense core of protons and neutrons within an isotope of thorium—thorium-299. By supplying an exact amount of energy ...
- In a first, scientists precisely control thorium nuclei with laserson April 29, 2024 at 9:18 am
For the first time, researchers employ a laser to raise an atomic nucleus's energy state, then precisely track its return to baseline.
- Nuclear Power’s Lethal, Larcenous End Gameon April 25, 2024 at 10:55 pm
For the first time since 1954, no large new atomic reactors are under construction or on order in the United States. On March 1, 2024, Vogtle Unit ...
- Russia To Start Construction Of World's Largest Fast Reactor In 2026, Connect It To Grid In 2032on April 20, 2024 at 9:20 pm
Russia's state atomic energy corporation Rosatom is planning to set up a series of 1,200 MW (BN-1200) fast breeding reactors ...
- Editorial: Enough with Postal Service doublespeakon April 20, 2024 at 3:37 pm
No postal system that sends even cross-town mail hundreds of miles for sorting and then back can claim efficiency, The Telegraph's Saturday editorial argues.
- Our view | Keep document recording money in Longviewon April 20, 2024 at 4:30 am
With the decision on Longview's homelessness task force potentially just days away, we want to urge the council to consider the full ramifications of disbanding the task force and reverting ...
- From the Editor: In journalism, mistakes happen, and they are terribleon April 20, 2024 at 3:00 am
Clarification: or sometimes Editor’s note: These generally are reserved for errors of omission. That is, we forgot to include information that would have helped the story, or upon reading the story ...
- Community Voices: New crisis center a boon for behavioral health careon April 17, 2024 at 3:00 pm
November 2024 there will be a 24/7/365 Emergency Behavioral Health Walk-in Center with mobile crisis teams opening in Harrisburg. The center is an effort between Cumberland, Perry and Dauphin counties ...
- WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: Here's justice in action, nonethelesson April 17, 2024 at 11:52 am
There is some element of national pride in this unprecedented confirmation of the long-held American principle that no one — not even an ex-president — is above the law.
via Bing News