Fast Reactors
A Solution to Fight Against Global Warming
- 1st Edition - September 21, 2022
- Imprint: Academic Press
- Author: Joel Guidez
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 2 1 9 4 6 - 1
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 2 1 9 4 2 - 3
Fast Reactors: A Solution to Fight Against Global Warming presents the current status of fast-reactor nuclear generation technology, with a focus on ecology and sustai… Read more
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Request a sales quoteFast Reactors: A Solution to Fight Against Global Warming presents the current status of fast-reactor nuclear generation technology, with a focus on ecology and sustainability benefits for the future. Author Joel Guidez analyzes past failures and limited deployment reasons to help drive this power generation method forward to a cleaner and more sustainable energy environment. The book covers safety aspects, short-life waste management, multirecycling, and biodiversity preservation to provide a well-rounded reference on the topic.
- Analyzes reasons for past failures and presents the advantages of fast reactors
- Reviews the status of fast-reactor technology, for sodium fast reactors and molten salt reactors with liquid fuel
- Presents ways in which fast nuclear reactors can help fight climate change and promote sustainability for the future
Nuclear industry professionals, especially those in gen IV reactors; nuclear energy researchers; those concerned with the climate change and sustainability of power generation. Nuclear engineering students; energy policy professionals; government bodies
- Cover
- Title page
- Table of Contents
- Copyright
- About the author
- Foreword
- References
- Introduction
- Chapter 1: Where do Homo sapiens get their energy?
- Abstract
- Some history
- Global warming
- The return of the electricity fairy?
- Electrical energy without CO2 production?
- A world powered by renewables alone?
- New research for the future?
- And nuclear?
- The new nuclear?
- Conclusion
- References
- Chapter 2: What are the advantages of fast reactors?
- Abstract
- Fissile and fertile material
- Reminder on the principle of fast reactors
- Operation of water reactors without spent fuel reprocessing
- Water reactors with fuel reprocessing
- Reminder on the fuel cycle of fast reactors
- Reactors that no longer need mining and fuel enrichment
- Almost unlimited energy
- Energy that produces neither CO2 nor dust
- An energy that has almost zero chemical release in reactor operation
- Operation that minimizes staff dosimetry
- Energy that decreases the global amount of radioactive waste
- An energy that can drastically reduce the duration final nuclear waste is hazardous
- A small ecological footprint
- Conclusion
- References
- Chapter 3: Fast reactors exist, I’ve met them
- Abstract
- Introduction
- The very-high-temperature reactor
- The supercritical water reactor
- The gas-cooled fast reactor
- The lead-cooled fast reactor
- The sodium-cooled fast reactor
- Conclusions
- Chapter 4: Analysis of the reasons for the failure to deploy sodium-cooled fast reactors globally in 2021
- Abstract
- Assessment of sodium-cooled fast reactors in the world in 2021
- Technical difficulties specific to the sodium sector?
- The additional cost compared with PWRs?
- Industrial domination of PWRs
- Specific safety issues?
- Existence of reprocessing plants
- Fast reactor fuel manufacturing
- Social acceptance
- The loss of skills
- Uranium availability
- Conclusions
- References
- Chapter 5: What fuel for a sodium-cooled fast reactor?
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Oxide fuel
- Metallic fuel
- Carbide fuel
- Nitride fuel
- Fuel/manufacturing
- Fuel/reprocessing
- A choice of fuel according to applications and strategy?
- Conclusion
- Chapter 6: Update on the technical state of sodium-cooled fast reactors in Europe
- Abstract
- Acknowledgment
- The ESFR-SMART project
- History of sodium-cooled fast reactors in Europe
- Safety improvement: Objectives and methodology
- Some examples of safety improvement approach in the ESFR-smart
- Description of ESFR-SMART primary system including these new options
- Description of ESFR-SMART secondary loops
- Safety analysis of the secondary loop
- General layout of the plant
- Handling systems
- Conclusions on safety improvements
- R&D needs for ESFR-smart options
- Conclusion
- References
- Chapter 7: Update on molten salt fast reactors
- Abstract
- Principle of operation of molten salt reactors
- The possible types of MSR
- Experience feedback on MSRs
- The potential benefits of MSRs
- Situation of MSRs in the world in 2021
- Special situation of France
- The technical challenges of MSRs
- Conclusion
- References
- Chapter 8: Conclusion: What future for fast reactors and our planet?
- Appendix 1: Lessons learned from sodium-cooled fast reactor operation
- Sodium-water reactions
- Handling operations
- Operation of primary components (pumps and exchangers)
- Spurious leaks or transfers of sodium
- Intake of air or impurities or gas
- Experience from fuel and clad failures
- Material problems
- Neutronic operations and control
- Sodium aerosols
- Conclusion
- References
- Appendix 2: Industrial demonstration of the fuel cycle of a sodium-cooled fast reactor
- Phénix fuel reprocessing experiment
- Review of experience feedback on reprocessing techniques
- Conclusion on the reprocessing
- Feedback on fuel fabrication
- Applications for the reactors of the future
- Further reading
- Appendix 3: Choice of fuel salt for a U/Pu cycle molten salt reactor
- Treatment of fluoride salts
- Operating and U/Pu solubility temperatures for chlorides
- Neutron analysis of the different types of salts
- Treatment of chloride salts
- General conclusion and recommendations
- References
- Index
- Edition: 1
- Published: September 21, 2022
- No. of pages (Paperback): 226
- No. of pages (eBook): 226
- Imprint: Academic Press
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN: 9780128219461
- eBook ISBN: 9780128219423
JG
Joel Guidez
Joel Guidez is the CEA, Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission based in Gif-sur-Yvette, France
Affiliations and expertise
CEA, Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission, Gif-sur-Yvette, FranceRead Fast Reactors on ScienceDirect