Energy Multiplier Module: Difference between revisions

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{{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>

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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.