17 replies to this topic

[DocM]

Most modern reactor designs are not capable of doing a Cherynobl or Fukushima - they passively safe themselves.

Then there is my favorite: liquid salt thoroum reactors; the fuel is molten naturally, so there is no structure to damage. This plus the benefits of the thorium fuel cycle.

[+Xinok]

DocM, on 10 February 2012 - 02:13, said:

Then there is my favorite: liquid salt thoroum reactors; the fuel is molten naturally, so there is no structure to damage. This plus the benefits of the thorium fuel cycle.

I watched a TED video about this. It sounds highly promising.

For those interested - http://www.ted.com/t...clear_fuel.html

[The_Decryptor]

DocM, on 10 February 2012 - 02:13, said:

Most modern reactor designs are not capable of doing a Cherynobl or Fukushima - they passively safe themselves.

Then there is my favorite: liquid salt thoroum reactors; the fuel is molten naturally, so there is no structure to damage. This plus the benefits of the thorium fuel cycle.

If that's the design I'm thinking of, then it's naturally self moderating. As it heats up the fuel expands, extending outside the main reactor core, slowing down the reaction and letting it cool down and contract again.

Awesome design, but at the same time it increases the risk of processing accidents while decreasing the risk of operating accidents (Since the fuel is liquid, it's easy to spill, vs. a solid rod or such)

Edit: The CANDU design is similar in how it handles that situation, the fuel rods are mounted horizontally so if they start overheating and melting, they bend out of shape and slow down the reaction (And the CANDU design can run on just about anything, natural uranium, spent fuel from other reactors, dismantled nuclear warheads, thorium, etc.)