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The Interplay between Breeding and Thermal Feedback in a Molten Chlorine Fast Reactor

Author

Listed:
  • Bruno Merk

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

  • Anna Detkina

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

  • Dzianis Litskevich

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

  • Seddon Atkinson

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

  • Gregory Cartland-Glover

    (Scientific Computing Department, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory, SciTech Daresbury, Cheshire WA4 4AD, UK)

Abstract

The energy trilemma and UN SDG 7 form the key drivers for the future of all kinds of energy research. In nuclear technology, molten salt reactors are an interesting option, since they can offer a game-changing approach to deliver an attractive, highly sustainable option for a zero-carbon society by providing sufficient breeding for a self-sustained long-term operation based on spent nuclear fuel from existing reactors while being able to be controlled ideally by inherent processes. To achieve these goals, several basic challenges have already been identified and worked on; demonstration of sufficient breeding and development of a demand driven salt clean up system. This study follows up on the opportunity for reactor control based on inherent feedback mechanisms. It is demonstrated that the investigated sodium chloride-uranium chloride-based systems can feasibly deliver a thermal feedback effect, which is strong enough, to compensate for the critically change due to breeding and fission product accumulation for two different compositions. The achieved results provide a very positive outlook on the system inherent ability for reactor self-control and even for the feasibility of a load following operation based on inherent feedback effects instead of massive and costly manual/automated control system operation.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno Merk & Anna Detkina & Dzianis Litskevich & Seddon Atkinson & Gregory Cartland-Glover, 2020. "The Interplay between Breeding and Thermal Feedback in a Molten Chlorine Fast Reactor," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:7:p:1609-:d:340076
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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. Bruno Merk & Anna Detkina & Seddon Atkinson & Dzianis Litskevich & Gregory Cartland-Glover, 2019. "Evaluation of the Breeding Performance of a NaCl-UCl-Based Reactor System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-18, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bruno Merk & Anna Detkina & Dzianis Litskevich & Omid Noori-kalkhoran & Lakshay Jain & Gregory Cartland-Glover, 2022. "A HELIOS-Based Dynamic Salt Clean-Up Study Analysing the Effects of a Plutonium-Based Initial Core for iMAGINE," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Bruno Merk & Dzianis Litskevich & Anna Detkina & Omid Noori-kalkhoran & Lakshay Jain & Elfriede Derrer-Merk & Daliya Aflyatunova & Greg Cartland-Glover, 2023. "iMAGINE—Visions, Missions, and Steps for Successfully Delivering the Nuclear System of the 21st Century," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Omid Noori-kalkhoran & Dzianis Litskevich & Anna Detkina & Lakshay Jain & Gregory Cartland-Glover & Bruno Merk, 2022. "On the Employment of a Chloride or Fluoride Salt Fuel System in Advanced Molten Salt Reactors, Part 1: Thermophysical Properties and Core Criticality," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-20, November.

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