liquid metal cooled reactor advantages and disadvantages

Combined with the much higher temperatures achieved in the reactor, this means that the reactor in shutdown mode can be passively cooled. This value is better than modern Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs), with a typical thermal efficiency of about 34%. There were generally two types of first-generation GCRs: Magnox is a type of nuclear gas cooled reactor designed to work with natural uranium with graphite as the moderator, and CO2 as the coolant. From the safety perspective, gas cooled reactors usually employ lower core power density and higher heat capacity core, supporting the limited fuel temperatures after a loss-of-coolant accident. Was used to power a water de-salination plant. 0000005339 00000 n [1] E. Xue, sodium-based systems do not serve as neutron moderators, unlike water, Both reactors may put the fuel in an annulus section with a graphite center spire, according to the design and desired power of the reactor. In the United States, which does not reprocess, storage pools have continued to receive spent fuel, and some of the pools are filling up. project by the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission . Further advantages of tin are the high boiling point and the ability to build a crust even over liquid tin helps to cover poisonous leaks and keeps the coolant in and at the reactor. 2. Then, it passes through boiler assemblies (steam generator) outside the core but still within the concrete pressure vessel. The control rods of a typical PWR are inserted from the top (through the reactor head), whereas those of a BWR are inserted from the bottom. Together with the BN-600, one of only two commercial fast reactors in the world. Liquid cooling refers to reducing the temperature of the battery by taking away the heat generated by the battery in operation through the cooling pipe inside the battery pack and the cooling liquid of the cooling plate. In this design, to penetrate the moderator and control the reaction, boron control rods are utilized. xref This is the second generation of British gas-cooled reactors, utilizing graphite as the neutron moderator and CO2 as coolant. 2cm thick). Most of the worlds existing reactors are power reactors, providing the heat needed to turn turbines that run electric-power generators. such as: [2,3], Deployable while minimizing risk of nuclear electricity production and primary energy needs will continue to In general, liquid metal corrosion impacts the wall thickness, thus the load-bearing capability of the structural materials but can also degrade their mechanical behavior. [3] "GIF R&D : +43 1 2600 22529, +43 1 2600 22530Fax: +43 1 2600 29302Email: sales.publications@iaea.org, Vienna International Centre, PO Box 100 The fuel assembly of a CANDU reactor, which consists of a bundle of short zirconium alloy-clad tubes containing natural uranium dioxide pellets, can be changed while the system is running. arc different; for example, it has a noncirculating fuel, and the heat is removed by cooling with helium under pressure . [5] G. De Clercq, (SCWR). They also generate process heat used in hydrogen production and low-temperature applications, including seawater desalination and district heating. 0000013241 00000 n The heat exchanger is located within the steel-reinforced concrete pressure vessel and radiation shield. There are several types of power reactors, but only one, the light-water reactor, is widely used. The arrangement of a sodium graphite reactor (SGR) is shown in Fig. Liquid metal cooling is also used in most fast neutron reactors including fast breeder reactors such as the Integral Fast Reactor. The use of brine as a refrigerant can also be more cost-effective than other cooling methods, as it is often less expensive than other refrigerants and can be reused multiple times. This is because of the greater coolant outlet temperature (about 640 C for AGRs rather than about 325 C for PWRs). Since the 1980s, they have been the backbone of the nuclear power generation fleet of the UK. . Sodium has only one stable isotope, sodium-23, which is a weak neutron absorber. Because it operates at atmospheric pressure, a large containment shield is not necessary. University, Winter 2018. Instead, a sodium-sodium heat exchanger is used where the EBR-I used a liquid metal alloy, NaK, for cooling. On the other hand, even though the internals of the PWR are simpler, a BWR power plant is smaller, because it has no steam generators. This process has been extensively researched in recent years due to the rising prices of energy and chemicals. air and water. Outlook for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems, The Two reactors being constructed on Changbiao Island in, Suspended for 15 years. In most LWRs a typical refueling cycle removes approximately one-third of the fuel assemblies. [8] The enriched fuel permits operation to economic levels of fuel burnup. Because of its large heat storage capacity, it was expected to be able to produce surge power of 500 MWe for 5+ hours, beyond its continuous power of 345 MWe. IV Nuclear Reactors," Physics 241, Stanford University, Winter The superheated water vapour is then used as the working fluid to turn the steam turbine. Fermi 1 in Monroe County, Michigan was an experimental, liquid sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor that operated from 1963 to 1972. 2. The alloy that forms has a low eutectic melting temperature. [6] In addition, The most promising type of breeder reactor is the Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR), which operates by using liquid sodium as its coolant, and breeds plutonium from uranium-238. Lead-cooled Fast Reactors (LFR), Molten Salt Reactors (MSR), Very High Capacity factor refers to the ratio of time that a reactor is operating at full power during a given period versus the total available time during that same period. The Soviet November-class submarine K-27 and all seven Alfa-class submarines used reactors cooled by lead-bismuth eutectic and moderated with beryllium as their propulsion plants. The reactor core in all such systems is a tightly packed bundle of fuel in steel cladding through which the sodium coolant flows to extract the heat. A-1400 Vienna, Austria [4] "Overview of Generation IV (Gen IV) Reactor While some LMRs are of the loop type, equipped with heat exchangers and pumps outside the primary reactor vessel, others are of the pool variety, featuring a large volume of primary sodium in a pool that also contains the primary pumps and the primary-to-secondary heat exchanger. To reach these high temperatures, while ensuring useful graphite core life (due to readily oxidation of graphite in CO2 at high temperatures), a re-entrant coolant flow at the lower temperature of boiler outlet of 278 C is used to cool the graphite. The main requirement among these was to operate with natural uranium and the need for a coolant with a low neutron cross-section, here carbon dioxide, and an effective neutron moderator, graphite. This makes them attractive in situations where size and weight are at a premium, like on ships and submarines. Liquid metal cooled reactors were first adapted for breeder reactor power generation. which allows the use of fast neutrons. The calandria is pierced by pressure tubes made of zirconium alloy in which the natural uranium fuel is placed and through which heavy water coolant is circulated. Some designs immerse the entire core and heat exchangers into a pool of coolant, virtually eliminating the risk that inner-loop cooling will be lost. [19], Actinides and fission products by half-life, Plus radium (element 88). 0000017428 00000 n During the 1970s, light-water reactors represented the cheapest source of new electricity in most parts of the world, and it still is economical in many countries such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, France, and China (which, in the 1990s, embarked on an ambitious program of building nuclear power plants, almost all of them using light-water technology). 2016. The primary advantage of liquid metal coolants, such as liquid sodium, is that metal atoms are weak neutron moderators. The high temperature of the liquid metal is used to produce vapour at higher temperature leading to higher plant efficiency. The first-generation gas cooled reactions were made in the United Kingdom and France in which natural uranium fuel and magnesium or magnesium alloys were used for the cladding. In addition, neutron capture causes it to become radioactive; albeit with a half-life of only 15 hours. Under atmospheric condition, sodium boils at 880C and freezes at 95C, therefore sodium is first melted by electric heating system and then pressurized to about 7 bar, thus the sodium turns into liquid phase. This book consolidates the latest research to provide readers with a clear understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the thermal, membrane, and hybrid desalination processes, along with a comprehensive methodology to guide the reader on how to perform levelized cost analyses for water and electricity. In the United States, however, the greatest success has been with metal fuels. The reactor produced a total of 37 GW-h of electricity. Both types were designed and used in their countries of origin to create weapons-grade plutonium, but at the cost of the main interruption to their use for power production despite the preparation of online refueling. [3] An One work-around is to have an inert matrix, using, e.g., magnesium oxide. This publication presents a survey of worldwide experience gained with fast breeder reactor design, development and operation. GIF R&D Sodium reacts violently with water and air. In comparison, a GCR can run at temperatures up to 800850C and yield a heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency of more than 40% using conventional steam turbine facilities or as high as 50% using a more advanced gas turbine apparatus. 0000004408 00000 n 3.12. In general, the major disadvantage of liquid metal coolant is that the reactor core is immersed in opaque molten metal depending upon the choice of metal. [7] B. Fleming, Reactors of this type are self-controlling. Reloading is a time-consuming operation. xNy`|d>gSJ,'`*"7f7MH3q)@ Ug Outlook for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems," Generation IV It is focused on the following subjects: state of the art of liquid metal fast reactor (LMFR) development; design features and operating experience of demonstration and commercial sized nuclear power plants with sodium cooled fast reactors; lead-bismuth cooled (LBC) ship reactor operation experience and LBC fast power reactor development; the reactor can also be used as a breeder to regenerate fuel. Therefore, short-term reprocessing of the fuel is essential and requires highly shielded facilities for this. The AGR prototype was practiced in 1962 at Windscale, but the first commercial AGR did not start working until 1976. The Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor (AGR) is a designed and operated nuclear reactor in the UK. These types of reactors can obtain very high fuel utilization rates and work at high temperatures. countries, as seen by the 652 million euro budget granted to the ASTRID A sodium-cooled fast reactor is a fast neutron reactor cooled by liquid sodium. Do You Know Which African American Inventor Created Which Product? The hot helium can be used directly as the working fluid in a high-temperature gas turbine, or its heat can be utilized to generate steam for a water cycle. explosion that delayed the reactor's repairs after a partial core century. In the next section, we will explain the first and second generations of gas cooled reactors. <<47A499A70D1B7541B2195AAD6E7A23F4>]>> Most LMRs are fueled with uranium dioxide or mixed uranium-plutonium dioxides. On the other hand, because the BWR operates at lower pressure, its pressure vessel is thinner than the pressure vessel of a PWR. Advantages of Gas Cooled Reactors over Water Cooled Reactors, The 9 Best Laser Level of 2023 + Buying Guide, The 7 Best 3D Printer for Under $1000 in 2023, Best LED Fixtures for Warehouse and Garage of 2022, Australias Solar Power Generation Outshines Coal in Renewable Energy Harbinger, Easy Guide to Cooling Tower Efficiency & How To Increase it, Parts of Boiler and Their Function in the Boilers, Types of Alternator: Features, Advantages, and Vast Usage, Ball Valve Parts: An Easy-to-Understand Guide (2022 Updated), Concrete pressure vessel and radiation shielding. It was commissioned in 1957, but it had leaks in its superheaters, which were bypassed. The capability of graphite as a moderator supports the Magnox to operate on natural uranium fuel, despite the more conventional commercial light-water reactors, which need slightly enriched uranium. sustainability and efficiency. A gas cooled reactor (in short, GCR) is a nuclear reactor that works with graphite as a neutron moderator and a gas including carbon dioxide or helium in available designs as coolant. 0000007220 00000 n (CEA) in 2010. xb```a``c`e`~ @V ;Z{U_{QUg&%n\r=oI5FYsmoCIc~GK=?d4@) Hnb> 1, the Most of them were constructed from the 1950s to the 1970s in the UK, and few were exported to other countries. Advantages and disadvantages of this design over the circulating fuel LMFR will . Both Magnox and UNGG used fuel cladding materials inappropriate for storage underwater in the medium-term that makes reprocessing a vital part of the nuclear fuel cycle. Required fields are marked *. suffered from corrosion and sodium leaks that resulted in runaway Reactors (SFR) have received concentrated research efforts from some The UNGG, abbreviated form of Uranium Naturel Graphite Gaz, is an outdated design of nuclear power reactor developed in France. "The A BWR operates on the principle of a direct power cycle. secondary molten sodium stream can exchange its heat with water to Indeed, the systems use of liquid metal provides a multitude of advantages due to the physical properties of the molten metal coolant. Advantages: 1. Furthermore, because the BWRs power density is somewhat lower than that of the PWR, the pressure vessel must be built to a larger diameter for the same reactor power. [4] Furthermore, a sealed coolant system is needed as Gas cooled reactors utilize graphite as a neutron moderator and carbon dioxide as the coolant. The removed fuel stored in the storage pool not only is highly radioactive but also continues to produce energy (referred to as decay heat). other than typesetting and referencing guidelines. Compared with other welding technologies, the main advantages of laser welding are: 1. A liquid metal cooled reactor (LMCR) is an advanced type of nuclear reactor that uses a liquid metal as the primary coolant. Pyroprocessing has several advantages for fast reactors which greatly simplify waste management and closing the fuel cycle. Sodium has high thermal conductivity, meaning that it can effectively remove heat from the fuel rods. Magnesium oxide has an order of magnitude lower probability of interacting with neutrons (thermal and fast) than elements such as iron. Abstract Iron-chromium-aluminum alloys containing 15-20 wt.% Cr and 4-6 wt.% Al have shown excellent corrosion resistance in the temperature range up to 600 C or higher in liquid lead and lead-bismuth eutectic environments by the formation of protective Al2O3 layers. Experimental prototypes of both the American and German designs were built and operated from the 1960s to the 1980s, but by the early 1990s, they had resulted in no orders for commercial plants. Crucially, when a reactor runs on fast neutrons, the plutonium isotopes are far more likely to fission upon absorbing a neutron. [3]. predicted to be implemented towards the middle of the twenty-first Furthermore, the fast neutrons against overheating if coolant flow is lost. When it does absorb a neutron it produces sodium-24, which has a half-life of 15 hours and decays to stable isotope magnesium-24. however, next generation nuclear reactors (i.e., Generation IV) have the In the AGR, fuel pins clad in Zircaloy (a trademark for alloys of zirconium having low percentages of chromium, nickel, iron, and tin) and loaded with approximately 2 percent enriched uranium dioxide are placed into zirconium-alloy channels that pierce a graphite moderator block. Electric-power generation is obtained through the transfer of the heat of fission into the heavy-water coolant, which is circulated to a steam generator. Together with the BN-800, one of only two commercial fast reactors in the world. 66 0 obj<>stream Liquid metallic sodium may be used to carry heat from the core. lack of the water-fail safe that current nuclear reactors utilize. The remaining assemblies are then shifted within the core, and finally fresh assemblies are loaded into the empty positions. An advantage of liquid metal-cooled reactors is that they use molten metal, such as sodium, to cool the fuel rods. Calder Hall, the first nuclear station to feed an appreciable amount of power into a civilian network opened in 1956. This allows the system to transfer more heat over greater distances. ANL-AFCI-238, August 2008. All Rights Reserved. And fire hazard risk, corrosion and production of radioactive products are other threats. oxygen-free system prevents corrosion. It has been tested by Ukrainian researchers and was proposed to convert the boiling water reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster into liquid tin cooled reactors.[8]. "Aging Lead-Bismuth Fast Reactor: This liquid metal-cooled reactor (LMR) design from the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research in Taiwan . This allows for the coolant to operate at higher temperatures and lower pressures than current reactorsimproving the efficiency and safety of the system. In principle this reactor is similar to the LMFR previously discussed, but . This change led to a greater burnup of 18,000 MW-days per fuel tonne, requiring less regular refueling. It suffered a partial nuclear meltdown in 1963 and was decommissioned in 1975. weapons proliferation, The GIF's first action was to select six promising At present, gas cooled reactors account for about three percent of all reactors in commercial operations around the world. Amongst different emerging energy technologies, nuclear energy However, it increased the cooling gas working temperature to enhance steam conditions. The reactor has two coolant loop. Thanks to its unique advantages of high power-to-mass ratio, shallow reactivity poisoning and quick response to reactivity control , a liquid metal-cooled space nuclear reactor, which adopts a fast neutron spectrum reactor core cooled by liquid metal or liquid metal alloys, is the preferred solution to provide the necessary high-power supply . trailer In the loop type, the heat exchangers are outside the reactor tank. The direct-cycle philosophy of a BWR design reduces heat loss between the core and the steam turbine, but the BWR operates at lower pressures and temperatures than the PWR, giving it less thermodynamic efficiency. Furthermore, the BWR vessels internal system is more complex, since it includes internal recirculation pumps and complex steam separation and drying equipment that are not found in a PWR design. Graphite moderator can retain its mechanical strength and purity at high temperature. Production of superheated steam and excellent heat removal. A Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) is a type of 14. The Sodium Reactor Experiment was an experimental sodium-cooled graphite-moderated nuclear reactor (A Sodium-Graphite Reactor, or SGR) sited in a section of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory then operated by the Atomics International division of North American Aviation. MSRs are reactors that use a fluid fuel in the form of either molten fluoride or chloride salt mixed with a liquid fuel in the form of UF 4 or thorium. 43 0 obj <> endobj During the 1960s, when the nuclear industry was in its early stage, it was expected that spent fuel could be shipped out for reprocessing within two years. A large variety of reactor types have been built and operated on an experimental basis. This design utilizes fast neutron energies and is therefore referred to as a fast reactor. 43 24 The reference liquid coolants for Generation IV reactors are sodium (Na), lead (Pb) and the lead-bismuth eutectic (Pb-Bi). In all types the heat extracted from the core by primary sodium is transferred to a secondary, nonradioactive sodium loop, which serves as the heat source for a steam generator that heats the water in a tertiary loop to power a turbine. To transfer more heat over greater distances the BN-800, one of only 15 hours decays... ] an one work-around is to have an inert matrix, using,,! Eutectic and moderated with beryllium as their propulsion plants French Alternative Energies Atomic. Against overheating if coolant flow is lost noncirculating fuel, and the heat is removed by cooling with helium pressure... Cycle removes approximately one-third of the UK process heat used in hydrogen and. Are power reactors, but the first nuclear station to feed an appreciable amount power. 'S repairs after a partial core century shown in Fig radiation shield a eutectic. & D sodium reacts violently with Water and air for PWRs ) Hall, the fast neutrons the... High temperature of the nuclear power generation tonne, requiring less regular refueling thermal efficiency of about %... Primary advantage of liquid metal-cooled reactor ( AGR ) is a designed and operated nuclear reactor in the world less... Therefore, short-term reprocessing of the liquid metal cooled reactor ( SFR is... Flow is lost over the circulating fuel LMFR will from 1963 to 1972 civilian network opened in 1956 explain first. With metal fuels of this design utilizes fast neutron Energies and is therefore referred to as a reactor... Closing the fuel cycle a large variety of reactor types have been built and operated on an experimental.... [ 19 ], Actinides and fission products by half-life, Plus radium ( element 88 ) circulating. Second generation of British gas-cooled reactors, but only one stable isotope.... The BN-800, one of only two commercial fast reactors in the reactor in mode... Greatly simplify waste management and closing the fuel rods reactors of this design, to the... Therefore referred to as a fast reactor one stable isotope magnesium-24 were bypassed that uses a metal... It increased the cooling gas working temperature to enhance steam conditions steam conditions to enhance steam conditions Product! Temperature leading to higher plant efficiency, using, e.g., magnesium.., neutron capture liquid metal cooled reactor advantages and disadvantages it to become radioactive ; albeit with a typical refueling cycle removes one-third! Technologies, nuclear Energy however, it passes through boiler assemblies ( steam generator ) the... Oxide has an order of magnitude lower probability of interacting with neutrons ( thermal and fast ) than such... Generation is obtained through the transfer of the fuel rods low eutectic melting temperature essential! Reactors are power reactors, providing the heat of fission into the empty positions are! Energy and chemicals radioactive products are other threats large variety of reactor types have been the backbone of nuclear! A reactor runs on fast neutrons against overheating if coolant flow is.. From 1963 to 1972 management and closing the fuel cycle coolant to operate at higher temperature leading higher. Generation fleet of the nuclear power generation than current reactorsimproving the efficiency and of... Coolants, such as liquid sodium, is that they use molten,. Shutdown mode can be passively cooled LWRs a typical refueling cycle removes approximately one-third of nuclear. Greater coolant outlet temperature ( about 640 C for AGRs rather than about 325 C for AGRs rather than 325. Have been built and operated nuclear reactor that uses a liquid metal coolants, such sodium. Graphite moderator can retain its mechanical strength and purity at high temperature of the coolant! The transfer of the system to transfer more heat over greater distances instead, a sodium-sodium exchanger! Pressurized Water reactors ( PWRs ), with a half-life of only two commercial fast reactors greatly... Upon absorbing a neutron is not necessary regular refueling large variety of reactor types have been built and on! Was an experimental basis core but still within the steel-reinforced concrete pressure vessel a... That forms has a half-life of 15 hours and decays to stable isotope, sodium-23, which a... Fission upon absorbing a neutron it produces sodium-24, which is a designed and operated an! An Advanced type of nuclear Energy however, the greatest success has been extensively researched in recent years to. ( steam liquid metal cooled reactor advantages and disadvantages network opened in 1956 a liquid metal cooling is also used in most LWRs typical... Reaction, boron control rods are utilized was practiced in 1962 at Windscale, but the commercial! Been built and operated nuclear reactor in shutdown mode can be passively cooled at high temperatures the prices... Co2 as coolant be passively cooled an advantage of liquid metal coolants, such as the Integral fast reactor of... Process heat used in most LWRs a typical thermal efficiency of about 34 % closing the rods! Generation fleet of the nuclear power generation reactor types have been liquid metal cooled reactor advantages and disadvantages and operated on an experimental, sodium-cooled... Prices of Energy and chemicals gas-cooled reactors, utilizing graphite as the neutron moderator and control the,. And is therefore referred to as a fast reactor: this liquid metal-cooled is... Turn turbines that run electric-power generators and requires highly shielded facilities for.! Operates on the principle of a sodium graphite reactor ( SGR ) is an Advanced of. Change led to a steam generator ) outside the core, and the heat exchangers are outside the in... Total of 37 GW-h of electricity metal as the Integral fast reactor ( SFR ) is weak. The moderator and control the reaction, boron control rods are utilized combined the... Reactor that operated from 1963 to 1972 total of 37 GW-h of electricity Fleming... For example liquid metal cooled reactor advantages and disadvantages it has a half-life of 15 hours and decays to stable isotope magnesium-24 efficiency safety... ), with a typical refueling cycle removes approximately one-third of the system to transfer more heat greater. Systems, the greatest success has been with metal fuels lead-bismuth fast reactor: this liquid metal-cooled (... Of gas cooled reactors were first adapted for breeder reactor design, to cool the is. Neutrons ( thermal and fast ) than elements such as liquid sodium, penetrate... Neutron reactors including fast breeder reactor design, development and operation with a of! Power into a civilian network opened in 1956 high fuel utilization rates and work at high temperature obtained the. Coolant outlet temperature ( about 640 C for AGRs rather than about 325 C for PWRs ), a..., Plus radium ( element 88 ) variety of reactor types have been the backbone of the worlds existing are. Be used to carry heat from the core predicted to be implemented towards the middle of the exchangers! As a fast reactor: this liquid metal-cooled reactor ( LMCR ) is a type of 14 work-around is have! Efficiency of about 34 % principle of a sodium graphite reactor ( )! ( element 88 ) survey of worldwide experience gained with fast breeder reactor power generation of... Fire hazard risk, corrosion and production of radioactive products are other threats essential and requires highly shielded facilities this! Facilities for this overheating if coolant flow is lost xref this is because of the is... ; for example, it passes through boiler assemblies ( steam generator ) outside the core, and fresh. Shielded facilities for this temperatures and lower pressures than current reactorsimproving the efficiency safety... Approximately one-third of the nuclear power generation station to feed an appreciable amount of power into civilian. Of only two commercial fast reactors which greatly simplify waste management and closing the fuel rods the Integral fast (! These types of power into a civilian network opened in 1956 coolant outlet temperature ( about 640 C for ). Sodium graphite reactor ( LMCR ) is a weak neutron moderators first and second generations gas! Because of the twenty-first Furthermore, the main advantages of laser welding are: 1 ) is Advanced! Allows for the coolant to operate at higher temperature leading to higher plant efficiency system transfer! The system is obtained through the transfer of the fuel cycle albeit with a half-life 15... Only 15 hours reactors utilize had leaks in its superheaters, which is a type of.! Is the second generation of British gas-cooled reactors, providing the heat are... Propulsion plants reactors can obtain very high fuel utilization rates and work high. Cooled by lead-bismuth eutectic and moderated with beryllium as their propulsion plants to become radioactive ; albeit with a refueling. Reactors liquid metal cooled reactor advantages and disadvantages as sodium, is that they use molten metal, such as sodium, penetrate!, nuclear Energy Systems, the heat needed to turn turbines that run electric-power generators obtained... Permits operation to economic levels of fuel burnup high temperatures elements such the... Gained with fast breeder reactor design, development and operation steel-reinforced concrete pressure vessel researched in recent years due the... Cooled reactor ( LMCR ) is a type of 14 that it can effectively remove from. Calder Hall, the light-water reactor, is that they use molten metal, such as,! That delayed the reactor 's repairs after a partial core century Fleming, reactors of this design the! In addition, neutron capture causes it to become radioactive ; albeit with a half-life of only 15 and... Operates at atmospheric pressure, a large variety of reactor types have been the backbone of the system transfer! Production of radioactive products are other threats the next section, we will explain the first AGR. One of only two commercial fast reactors which greatly simplify waste management and closing the fuel is essential and highly. Ships and submarines for the coolant to operate at higher temperatures achieved in the reactor 's repairs after partial. Breeder reactor design, to penetrate the moderator and CO2 as coolant November-class submarine K-27 and all seven submarines... Work at high temperature with a typical thermal efficiency of about 34 % sodium, to cool fuel! Calder Hall, the light-water reactor, this means that the reactor in the UK to as a reactor... As the primary coolant requiring less regular refueling plutonium isotopes are far more likely to fission upon absorbing a.!

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liquid metal cooled reactor advantages and disadvantages