Abstract
This article explores the use of molten salt reactors (MSR) as a source of cheap and limitless energy for nuclear power industry. Molten salt reactors contain no fuel pellets. MSRs run at near-atmospheric pressure, so the thick-walled pressure vessels found in light-water reactors are unnecessary. Since there is no water or sodium in the reactor fluids, there is zero possibility of a steam explosion or hydrogen production within the containment. The article also highlights advantages of using MSRs in nuclear-powered bombers. Many of the drawbacks to the molten salt reactor approach have been worked out. MSR designs have very strong negative temperature and void coefficients, which act instantly, aiding safety and allowing automatic load following operation. The Molten Salt Reactor Experiment showed that maintenance and repair could be carried out smoothly and that reactor control was highly stable. The article concludes that molten salt or liquid fluoride reactors will also take a large effort, but every indication points to a power reactor that will excel in cost, safety, long-term waste reduction, resource utilization, and proliferation resistance.
Reference4 articles.
1. The Molten Salt Adventure;Nuclear Science and Engineering,1985
2. D.
LeBlanc
, “Molten Salt Reactors: A New Beginning for an Old Idea,” Nuclear Engineering and Design (in press)
3. As well as numerous documents and discussions at energyfromthorium.com
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