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On a Long Term Strategy for the Success of Nuclear Power

Author

Listed:
  • Bruno Merk

    (School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GH, UK
    National Nuclear Laboratory, Chadwick House, Warrington WA3 6AE, UK
    Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf (HZDR), Bautzner Landstraße 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany)

  • Dzianis Litskevich

    (School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GH, UK)

  • Karl R. Whittle

    (School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GH, UK)

  • Mark Bankhead

    (National Nuclear Laboratory, Chadwick House, Warrington WA3 6AE, UK)

  • Richard J. Taylor

    (School of Mechanical Aerospace & Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester M1 3BB, UK)

  • Dan Mathers

    (National Nuclear Laboratory, Chadwick House, Warrington WA3 6AE, UK)

Abstract

The current generation of nuclear reactors are evolutionary in design, mostly based on the technology originally designed to power submarines, and dominated by light water reactors. The aims of the Generation IV consortium are driven by sustainability, safety and reliability, economics, and proliferation resistance. The aims are extended here to encompass the ultimate and universal vision for strategic development of energy production, the “perpetuum mobile”—at least as close as possible. We propose to rethink nuclear reactor design with the mission to develop an innovative system which uses no fresh resources and produces no fresh waste during operation as well as generates power safe and reliably in economic way. The results of the innovative simulations presented here demonstrate that, from a theoretical perspective, it is feasible to fulfil the mission through the direct reuse of spent nuclear fuel from currently operating reactors as the fuel for a proposed new reactor. The produced waste is less burdensome than current spent nuclear fuel which is used as feed to the system. However, safety, reliability and operational economics will need to be demonstrated to create the basis for the long term success of nuclear reactors as a major carbon free, sustainable, and applied highly reliable energy source.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno Merk & Dzianis Litskevich & Karl R. Whittle & Mark Bankhead & Richard J. Taylor & Dan Mathers, 2017. "On a Long Term Strategy for the Success of Nuclear Power," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:10:y:2017:i:7:p:867-:d:102936
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Merk, Bruno & Stanculescu, Alexander & Chellapandi, Perumal & Hill, Robert, 2015. "Progress in reliability of fast reactor operation and new trends to increased inherent safety," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 104-116.
    2. K. W. J. Barnham & J. Nelson & R. A. Stevens, 2000. "Did civil reactors supply plutonium for weapons?," Nature, Nature, vol. 407(6806), pages 833-834, October.
    3. Poinssot, Ch. & Bourg, S. & Ouvrier, N. & Combernoux, N. & Rostaing, C. & Vargas-Gonzalez, M. & Bruno, J., 2014. "Assessment of the environmental footprint of nuclear energy systems. Comparison between closed and open fuel cycles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 199-211.
    4. Bruno Merk & Dzianis Litskevich, 2015. "On the Burning of Plutonium Originating from Light Water Reactor Use in a Fast Molten Salt Reactor—A Neutron Physical Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-16, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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