DOE judges IFR best reactor design

Click For Summary
The Department of Energy (DOE) evaluated 19 reactor designs against 27 criteria and determined that the Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) is the best option for future energy needs. There are concerns regarding the maturity of IFR technology and its ability to achieve its theoretical potential. Some participants in the discussion suggest that the CANDU reactor also ranks highly but express a need for more information on the evaluation criteria. The Integrated/Integral Primary System Reactor (IPSR) is mentioned, highlighting that it has never been built or operated, raising questions about its feasibility. Overall, while the IFR is favored, there is a call for further development and operational experience before making definitive decisions.

DOE judges IFR best reactor design

  • Total voters
    2
ensabah6
Messages
691
Reaction score
0
Engineering news on Phys.org
Cool. I read the link, and it seems like a good analysis. Personally, I don't know that the IFR technology is developed enough to be sure that it will be able to reach its theoretical potential. Certainly would be amazing technology.
 
CANDU looks right up there?
 
I would need more information, e.g., the 27 criteria.
 
No one has ever built an IPSR let alone operated it.

Would like to see some OE before deciding.
 
Xnn said:
No one has ever built an IPSR let alone operated it.

Would like to see some OE before deciding.
Definitely, one would have to be constructed - but few a willing to pony up the money.

This might be of interest.
http://gif.inel.gov/roadmap/pdfs/003_r_d_scope_report_for_water-cooled_reactor_systems.pdf

http://www.ornl.gov/~webworks/cppr/y2001/pres/121500.pdf

IPSR is Integrated/Integral Primary System Reactor where the steam generator is contained within the pressure vessel, which traditionally contains the core.

The Westinghouse IRIS concept is an example. The NuScale concept is another example.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Thread 'What type of energy is actually stored inside an atom?'

What type of energy is actually stored inside an atom? When an atom is split—such as in a nuclear explosion—it releases enormous energy, much of it in the form of gamma-ray electromagnetic radiation. Given this, is it correct to say that the energy stored in the atom is fundamentally electromagnetic (EM) energy? If not, how should we properly understand the nature of the energy that binds the nucleus and is released during fission?
View full post »

Similar threads

Reactor Performance/Design As A Political Ideology
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
3K
What will be the economic purpose of modular reactors?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Can Very High Burnup Reactors Lower the Cost of Nuclear Energy?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
What Type of Plasma Best Emits Thermal Energy for Efficient Reactor Design?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Transatomic - Molten Salt Reactor (from Question about LFTR?)
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
  • Poll Poll
Writing: Input Wanted Designing the Nuclear-Fusion Reactor for my Generation Ship
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Reactor Channel Layout: RBMK, PWR, CANDU Comparison
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
How is high temperature reactor design different?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Would a universal open-source blueprint/design posted online?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Question about Resonance Cross Sections
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K