nuclear-news

Unrealistic expectations for So-Called Novel Nuclear Reactor Concepts

 Analysis and Evaluation of the Development Status, Safety and Regulatory
Framework for So-Called Novel Reactor Concepts.

For all technology lines considered, extensive research and development work has been taking place for several decades, in some cases since the middle of the last century.

Depending on the technology line, technical test stands for individual
phenomena have been built and operated, and so have smaller experimental
reactors (for SFR, for example, the U.S. EBR-I and II plants or the Russian
BR-10 and Bor-60) and larger demonstration reactors (for SFR, for example,
the French Phoenix and Super-Phoenix plants or the Russian BN-350 or BN-600
plants).

Nevertheless, until today no commercially competitive reactor
concept exists in the field of SNR. To plan, license, construct and operate
such experimental and demonstration reactors, a period of at least one to
two decades must be assumed for each reactor project, probably
substantially more based on historical experience. The knowledge gained
with these facilities needs to be evaluated and incorporated into the
technical design of an eventual prototype reactor.

The expectation, often expressed in public discourse and by developers themselves, that SNR
concepts can make a significant contribution to solving today’s problems in
nuclear technology cannot be considered realistic in view of the current
state of development of these systems and the actually proven and expected
advantages and disadvantages of the individual technology lines.

 German Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management
(accessed) 18th Sept 2024

https://www.base.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/BASE/EN/expert-info/f/final-report-novel-reactor-concepts.pdf

September 20, 2024 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | technology