DOE judges IFR best reactor design

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the Department of Energy's (DOE) conclusion that the Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) is the best reactor design based on an analysis of 19 reactor designs using 27 criteria. Participants explore the viability and development status of the IFR technology, as well as comparisons with other reactor designs such as CANDU and Integrated/Integral Primary System Reactors (IPSR).

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express agreement with the DOE's analysis, finding it a good evaluation of reactor designs.
  • Others question whether IFR technology is sufficiently developed to achieve its theoretical potential, suggesting that while it could be transformative, its practical application remains uncertain.
  • One participant points out that the CANDU reactor design also appears to be a strong contender in the analysis.
  • Another participant requests more information regarding the 27 criteria used in the DOE's evaluation to better understand the conclusions drawn.
  • Concerns are raised about the lack of operational experience with IPSR designs, with emphasis on the need for a prototype to be constructed before making definitive judgments.
  • Further information is shared regarding the IPSR concept, including references to specific reactor designs like Westinghouse IRIS and NuScale.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the superiority of the IFR design, with multiple competing views regarding its development status and the viability of other reactor designs like CANDU and IPSR remaining unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in available information, particularly concerning the specific criteria used in the DOE's analysis and the operational history of various reactor designs. There is also a noted dependence on the construction and testing of new reactor concepts to validate their potential.

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:

Similar threads

Reactor Performance/Design As A Political Ideology
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
4K
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
3K
Reactor Channel Layout: RBMK, PWR, CANDU Comparison
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
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