International Thermonuclear Experimental ReactorCadarache, France
FUSION
· fusion of light isotopes (e.g. 2H and 3H).
· fusion chain reaction occurs under extreme pressure and temperature conditions, which are maintained by the energy released in the fusion process.
· For fusion to occur the atoms must be confined in the magnetic field and raised to a temperature of 100 million Kelvin or more.
· fusion reactors cannot sustain a chain reaction so they can never melt down like fission reactors. Fusion reaction produces very less or, if the right atoms are chosen, no radioactive waste.
· The energy released by fusion is three to four times greater than the energy released by fission. This is because the amount of mass transformed into energy is that much greater in a fusion reaction than in a fission reaction.
http://www.physorg.com/news145561984.html
http://www.npr.org/2011/06/06/136930453/graphic-rethinking-nuclear-power-on-the-small-scale
http://www.nuscalepower.com/ot-How-NuScale-Technology-Works.php
Application of Micro-Reactor Technology: The project could become a tower of micro-reactors that have similar characteristics to those described in the links listed above. A mirco-reactor module could be manufactured and fueled off site and then brought to the Gowanus site where it would be positioned among multiple micro-reactors on a tower structure. As described in the links, such a system could be managed from a central location and would have the capacity to provide electricity to the surrounding area. The need for on-site nuclear waste storage would not be necessary; also described in the links above. Once the fuel within a module is spent the entire module would be removed from the structure and taken off site where the spent fuel would be stored and new fuel would be added. The module would then return to the site and be reattached to the structure.
Process Diagram
SCALE. nuclear power plant at a smaller scale, approaches a tipping point of safety and manageability. If you make a smaller nuclear generation plant, you can design a safe environment.
ReplyDeleteproject needs to include excavation, nuclear waste, and safety concerns/issues
After reviewing the links posted earlier it seems that it is common to have a micro-reactor submerged in a pool of water as a cooling/safety strategy. An opportunity for this may exist on the Gowanus Canal site as it is conceivable that a portion of the canal could be closed off and used as this pool of water.
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