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NUCLEARSPACE MESSAGE BOARD (ACTIVE) -> ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT -> Gates Microsoft money for BREED & BURN reactors
Post Info TOPIC: Gates Microsoft money for BREED & BURN reactors
NUKE ROCKY44


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Gates Microsoft money for BREED & BURN reactors
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I thought Toshiba was suppose to install an at-cost demo. for this small reactor in a north Alaskan indian community since Toshiba-DOE-STATE OF ALASKA-BIA/tribal council all came to an agreement for installation and operation a few years ago.

Gates to invest in Traveling-Wave Reactor (TWR):

TOKYO (AFP) A company backed by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and Toshiba are in early talks to jointly develop a small nuclear reactor, the Japanese electronics giant said Tuesday.

The Nikkei business daily earlier reported that the two sides would team up to develop a compact next-generation reactor that can operate for up to 100 years without refueling to provide emission-free energy.

The daily said the joint development would focus on the Traveling-Wave Reactor (TWR), which consumes depleted uranium as fuel. Current light-water reactors require refueling every few years.

 [see link]



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Bruce Behrhorst
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I guess this shows that the flawed global warming theory would ultimately lead to a greater acceptance of nuclear energy since there is no alternative that doesn't emit CO2 and has the potential to maintain civilization. 

On this one the good thing is we use a lot more of the uranium but aren't we putting the waste issue off for the future?  It does sound interesting.

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NUKE ROCKY44


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Yes, I figure likewise (politically correct) PC money is beginning to be more realistic over nuke use especially relating to electrical baseloading and limits imposed by natural factors.

I think the Alaskan area in question was Galena, AK.

As currently envisioned, the Toshiba 4S (Super Safe, Small and Simple) nuclear power system would be able to supply about 10 MW of electrical power for 30 years without any new fuel.

[see link]


I guess this is U238 natural uranium reactor lit with fertile enriched uranium kicked to fission with neutron source. Kinda super slow reactor.

Maybe some the techs on the board can provide insight. The systems sounds nice but as usual the NRC-DOE etc. will permit or reject it. If it hasn't already been in operation it's 'cause it was rejected by NRC-DOE. Like Alberta Alaska is run politically by big oil.

-- Edited by NUKE ROCKY44 on Wednesday 24th of March 2010 03:09:28 AM

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Bruce Behrhorst
GoogleNaut


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I'm not sure how they can get 100 years between fuelings--also, neutron embrittlement of pressure vessel is a concern to me.

Choosing a long burn time and reprocessing to remove fission products is a great way to 'recycle' fuel actinides--this removes fission products, which while they are high level, also have a relatively short half-life. A relatively short 100-200 year storage time seems reasonable to me--and doable. And we don't have to create an 'impossible' design requiring multi-hundred thousand year storage...
Reprocessing and reblending is also a great way to dispose of plutonium, both weapons grade and reactor grade in a positive, creative and environmentally friendlier manner. Creating much needed energy and displacing carbon dioxide emissions (and burning less foreign oil and coal) is a good thing anyways.



-- Edited by GoogleNaut on Wednesday 24th of March 2010 04:09:23 AM

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