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The '''Energy Multiplier Module''' ('''EM²''' or '''EM squared''') is a [[nuclear fission]] power [[Nuclear reactor technology|reactor]] under development by [[General Atomics]].<ref>{{cite news |title=JENKINS: Hot young prospect to replace old San Onofre reactors |author=Logan Jenkins |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-jenkins-hot-young-prospect-to-replace-old-san-2013jan10-story.html |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |date=10 January 2013 |access-date=19 January 2013}}</ref> It is a fast-neutron version of the [[Gas Turbine Modular Helium Reactor]] (GT-MHR) and is capable of converting [[spent nuclear fuel]] into electricity and industrial process heat.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/24/company-has-plan-for-small-reactors/|title=Company has plan for small reactors|last=Freeman|first=Mike|date=Feb 24, 2010|work=[[San Diego Union Tribune]]}}</ref>
==Design specifications==
EM2 is an advanced modular reactor expected to produce 265 MW<sub>e</sub> (500 MW<sub>th</sub>) of power with evaporative cooling (240 MW<sub>e</sub> with dry cooling) at a core outlet temperature of {{convert|850|°C|-2}}. The reactor will be
The nuclear core design is based upon a new conversion technique in which an initial "starter" section of the core provides the [[neutrons]] to convert fertile material (used nuclear fuel, thorium, or [[depleted uranium]]) into burnable [[fissile]] fuel.<ref>"With Disposal Uncertain, Waste Burning Reactors Gain Traction – EM2 to Burn LWR Fuel," Nuclear New Build Monitor, March 15, 2010</ref> First generation EM2 units use enriched uranium starters (approximately 15 percent [[U235]]) to initiate the conversion process.<ref>{{Cite journal |last = Choi |first = H. |title = A Compact Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor with an Ultra-Long Fuel Cycle |journal = Science and Technology of Nuclear Installations |volume = 2013 |pages = 1–10 |doi = 10.1155/2013/618707 |year = 2013 |doi-access = free }}</ref> The starter U235 is consumed as the fertile material is converted to fissile fuel. The core life expectancy is approximately 30 years without refueling or reshuffling the fuel.
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==Economics and workforce capacity==
EM2 power costs are expected to be lower due to high power conversion (from thermal input to electric output) efficiency, a reduced number of components, and long core life. EM2 is expected to achieve a [[thermal efficiency]] of above 50% due to its high core outlet temperature and closed Brayton power cycle. The Brayton cycle eliminates many expensive components, including [[steam generator]]s, pressurizers, [[Condenser (heat transfer)|condenser]]s, and feedwater pumps. The design would utilize only 1/6th of the nuclear concrete of a conventional light water reactor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703791504575079370538466574 | title=General Atomics Proposes a Plant That Runs on Nuclear Waste|last=Smith|first=Rebecca|date=Feb 22, 2010|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>
Each module can be manufactured in either U.S. domestic or foreign facilities using replacement parts manufacturing and supply chain management with large components shipped by commercial truck or rail to a site for final assembly, where it will be fully enclosed in an underground containment structure. Dry cooling capability allows siting in locations without a source of cooling water.
If the reactor is to become part of a [[hydrogen economy]], the coolant outlet temperature of 850 °C would allow the [[sulfur iodine cycle]] to be used which directly converts thermal energy into hydrogen (without electric or other intermediate steps) with an overall thermal efficiency around 50%.
==Nuclear waste==
EM2 can burn used [[nuclear fuel]], also referred to as "[[spent fuel]]" from current [[light water reactors]]. It can utilize an estimated 97% of unused fuel that current reactors leave behind as waste.
Spent fuel rods from conventional nuclear reactors are put into storage and considered to be [[nuclear waste]], by the nuclear industry and the general public.<ref>{{cite news|url=
==Non-proliferation==
By using spent nuclear waste and depleted uranium stockpiles as its fuel source, a large-scale deployment of the EM2 could reduce the long-term need for uranium enrichment and eliminate conventional nuclear reprocessing, which requires plutonium separation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://spectrum.ieee.org
Conventional light water reactors require refueling every 18 months. EM2's 30-year fuel cycle minimizes the need for fuel handling and reduces access to fuel material, thus reducing proliferation concerns.
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Underground siting improves safety and security of the plant against terrorism and other threats.
EM2's high [[operating temperature]] can provide process heat for [[petrochemical]] fuel products and [[alternative fuels]], such as [[biofuels]] and [[hydrogen]].<ref>{{Cite web | title
==See also==
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