Energy Multiplier Module: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:16, 15 November 2023

Latest revision as of 19:03, 6 April 2025

(5 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)

Line 1:

{{AdvertPromotional|date=April 2012}}

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_e (500 MW_th) of power with evaporative cooling (240 MW_e with dry cooling) at a core outlet temperature of {{convert|850|°C|-2}}. The reactor will be fully enclosed in an underground containment structure for 30 years without requiring refueling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ga.com/advanced-reactors |title=Advanced Reactors |publisher=General Atomics |access-date = Feb 19, 2018}}</ref> EM2 differs from current reactors in that it does not use water coolant but is instead a [[gas-cooled fast reactor]], which uses [[helium]] as a coolant for an additional level of safety. The reactor uses a composite of [[silicon carbide]] as a fuel cladding material and [[zirconium]] silicide as [[neutron reflector]] material. The reactor unit is coupled to direct-drive helium [[closed-cycle gas turbine]] which drives a generator to produce electricity.

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.

Line 16:

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&nbsp;°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=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/2010archives/la-xpm-2010-mar/-11/opinion/-la-le-thursday11-2010mar11/-story.html|title=Letter to the Editor in Response to "Nuclear power – not a green option – it generates radioactive waste; it requires uranium that's dangerous to mine; it's hugely expensive,"|last=Parmentola|first=John|date=March 11, 2010|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> Nuclear waste from light water reactors retains more than 95% of its original energy because such reactors cannot burn fertile U238, while fast reactors can. The current U.S. inventory of spent fuel is equivalent to nine trillion barrels of oil - four times more than the known reserves.

==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/energy/nuclear/downsizing-nuclear-power-plants/|title=7. "Downsizing Nuclear Power Plants – Modular designs rely on 'economies of multiples' to make small reactors pay off big," |last=Fairley |first=Peter |date=May 11, 2010 |work=[[IEEE Spectrum]]}}</ref>

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.