Is the AP1000 reactor ushering in a new era of nuclear power efficiency?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the AP1000 reactor and its potential role in revitalizing the American nuclear power industry. Participants explore various aspects of nuclear reactor technology, including the types of reactors being developed, regulatory challenges, and international developments in nuclear power efficiency.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that Obama has issued loan guarantees for new nuclear plants, questioning the specifics of the plants being built and the overall restart of the American nuclear industry.
  • Others confirm that the AP1000, a pressurized water reactor, is among the reactors being licensed, while highlighting ongoing issues between Westinghouse and the NRC regarding seismic requirements.
  • There is mention of the historical context that the nuclear industry never fully stopped, although construction of nuclear power plants (NPPs) did pause around 1980.
  • Participants discuss various modern reactor designs, including Gen 3/3+ LWRs, APWR, EPR, ABWR, and ESBWR, noting their compatibility with existing fuel types.
  • One participant emphasizes the existence of modular designs and the DOE's advanced reactor program, which includes Gen IV concepts.
  • There is a reference to the construction of AP1000 reactors in China, with expectations of learning from their development, and mentions of future prototypes and advancements in reactor technology.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and differing views regarding the status and future of the nuclear industry, with some emphasizing the ongoing developments while others highlight regulatory and technical challenges. The discussion remains unresolved on several points, particularly regarding the implications of these developments for the American nuclear industry.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various reactor designs and regulatory issues without resolving the implications of these factors on the future of nuclear power efficiency. There are also mentions of international developments that may influence domestic policies and practices.

ppnl
Messages
37
Reaction score
0
Obama has issued loan guarantees to build two new nuke plants. Anyone know what kind of plants they will build? Are we really going to finally restart the American nuclear industry?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Yes, the American Nuclear Industry is being restarted. The reactors that are being licensed are the AP 1000, a pressurized water reactor.

Here is some more information.

http://www.ap1000.westinghousenuclear.com/

However, there is currently an issue between Westinghouse and the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) regarding the seismic requirements for the containment building.

More about that here.

http://www.powermag.com/nuclear/NRC...tural-Strength-Could-Delay-Projects_2298.html

The USA location for the first of these reactors is Plant Vogtle located in Georgia.

Thanks
Matt
 
ppnl said:
Obama has issued loan guarantees to build two new nuke plants. Anyone know what kind of plants they will build? Are we really going to finally restart the American nuclear industry?
The nuclear industry never stopped, although construction of NPPs did take a hiatus as of ~1980.

Current plans are for modern Gen 3/3+ LWRs. The AP1000, APWR and EPR are designed around ~14 ft 17x17 fuel, which would be compatable with current 17x17 PWRs.

GEH and Toshiba each offer an ABWR, and GEH has an innovative ESBWR, which uses natural circulation in the PV, although feedwater is forced (pumped).

There are various modular designs being offered.

And DOE has an advanced reactor program (Gen IV), with some exotic concepts.
 
Astronuc said:
The nuclear industry never stopped, although construction of NPPs did take a hiatus as of ~1980.

Current plans are for modern Gen 3/3+ LWRs. The AP1000, APWR and EPR are designed around ~14 ft 17x17 fuel, which would be compatable with current 17x17 PWRs.

GEH and Toshiba each offer an ABWR, and GEH has an innovative ESBWR, which uses natural circulation in the PV, although feedwater is forced (pumped).

There are various modular designs being offered.

And DOE has an advanced reactor program (Gen IV), with some exotic concepts.

Don't forget the Hitachi APWR! It's a behemoth 1700 Mwe :-p
 
QuantumPion said:
Don't forget the Hitachi APWR! It's a behemoth 1700 Mwe :-p
I haven't seen it offered in the US. There is no DCA at the NRC at this time.
 
There are 3 AP1000 reactors already under construction in China and the first one is scheduled to go online in 2013, so we will be able to take advantage of the Chinese learning curve. The reactors are actually rated at 1250MWe because of improvements in the turbines and generators.

From what I've read, China is going to build a 1400Mwe prototype soon using the AP1000 and there are plans to build 1700MWe version using things like annular fuel technology.

http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf63.html"
http://web.mit.edu/mitei/research/spotlights/nuclear-efficiency.html"
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Nuclear Power Gets a Big Boost in the US
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
New Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactor Approved by NRC
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
5K
What Are The Economics Of Pebble Bed Reactors
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
7K
Chernobyl loses power, spent fuel storage question #Ukraine
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
How long can nuclear plants last without power? (CME hit)
  • · Replies 52 ·
2
Replies
52
Views
11K
What's the best major between Physics & Chemistry for entering MS in Nuclear Engineering?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
How to become a commercial nuclear plant operator?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Thoughts on nuclear power and disasters [long, rant/tangenty]
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Does nuclear power cost massive billion gov subsidies?
  • · Replies 131 ·
5
Replies
131
Views
30K
Is Nuclear Power More Efficient Than Coal in Energy Production?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
13K