Nuclear Reactor Technology Development and Utilization (Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy)

Description

Nuclear Reactor Technology Development and Utilization presents the theory and principles of the most common advanced nuclear reactor systems and provides a context for the value and utilization of nuclear power in a variety of applications both inside and outside a traditional nuclear setting. As countries across the globe realize their plans for a sustainable energy future, the need for innovative nuclear reactor design is increasing, and this book will provide a deep understanding of how these technologies can aid in a region’s goal for clean and reliable energy. Dr Khan and Dr Nakhabov, alongside their team of expert contributors, discuss a variety of important topics, including nuclear fuel cycles, plant decommissioning and hybrid energy systems, while considering a variety of diverse uses such as nuclear desalination, hydrogen generation and radioisotope production. Knowledge acquired enables the reader to conduct further research in academia and industry, and apply the latest design, development, integration, safety and economic guidance to their work and research. Cover Nuclear Reactor Technology Development and Utilization: Fuel Cycles, Advanced Reactors, and Hybrid Systems Copyright Dedication Contributors About the editors Preface Acknowledgments Introduction to nuclear power technology Chapter Outline Introduction Nuclear physics basics Radiation capture of neutrons (n,γ) Inelastic neutron scattering Nuclear fission Elastic neutron scattering Neutron flux density Microscopic cross-section for the interaction of neutrons with nuclei, σ The density of nuclei γn Self-supported chain process of nuclear fission Radioactivity of nuclear fuel How to ``remove´´ the energy released in nuclear fuel Nuclear fuel for chain fission reaction Conclusion References Nuclear fuel cycle and decommissioning Chapter outline Introduction Preparing for tomorrow´s energy demands Fuel cycle process and technology Fuel cycle option Used nuclear fuel Short-lived fission products Medium-lived fission products Long-lived fission products Nuclear fission products Radioactive waste management Types of radioactive waste Very low-level waste Low-level waste Intermediate-level waste High-level waste Naturally occurring radioactive materials NORM sources Terrestrial NORM Cosmogenic NORM Industrial producing NORM Coal energy-Combustion and ash Coal mining Oil and gas production Metals and smelting Mineral sands Tin production Tantalum and niobium Rare earth elements Uranium production Phosphates and fertilizer production Building materials Recycling and naturally occurring radioactive Remediation of legacy sites Radon Naturally radiation and health effects Types of radiation Alpha particles Beta particles Gamma rays Units of radiation and radioactivity Routine sources of radiation Natural background radiation, Radon Effects of ionizing radiation Low-level radiation effects Decommissioning of nuclear facilities Decommissioning options for nuclear plants Decommissioning experience Decommissioning of nuclear fuel cycle facilities References Nuclear reactor safety Chapter outline Introduction Factors of potential hazards of NPP. Possible ways to realize the hazards Factors of potential hazards of NPP Excess reactivity Residual heat release and concentration of radioactive products in the reactor core The stored nonnuclear energy Possible ways to realize the hazards The accident at TMI The accident at Chernobyl unit IV. Conclusions and lessons The general conclusions of the two accidents The main safety principles The main safety objectives The fundamental principles Regulations to ensure the safe operation of NPPs Standard process documentation General requirements for effect on reactivity Critical assembly features Research reactors and NPP features The effect of human factors on the safety of NPP The role of personnel in ensuring the safety of NPP Human errors and how to prevent them Control actions of personnel in an accident Quantitative characteristics safety of NPP Probabilistic safety analysis. Definition of risk Deterministic safety analysis Fault trees and event trees Event trees Fault trees References with comments Economics of nuclear power plants Chapter outline Introduction Key concepts and terminologies Lifecycle cost of nuclear power plants Total cost of installed capital Operations and maintenance Fuel costs Decommissioning Externalities Cost drivers for nuclear power plants Lifecycle simulation model Challenges to producing quality estimates Challenge 1: Applicability/availability of existing data Existing NPP data Simulation and modeling Expert elicitation Problems with data sources Challenge 2: Validating estimates Challenge 3: Estimate scope and purpose Challenge 4: Estimate uncertainty Case study Business case cost estimate considerations Standardized cost breakdown structure Other cost considerations Conclusions References Small modular reactors Chapter outline SMRs: Why? SMR technology IAEA activities Placing SMRs Mobile installations Tracks and wheels Railway Permanent placement Floating NPPs Underground NPPs Significant benefits Integral PWR concepts Description of some iPWR examples NuScale CAREM-25 SMART ACP100 IRIS RITM-200 Safety strategy Residual heat removal system High-pressure injection system Low-pressure injection system Containments Systems that mitigate the consequences of accidents The summary of the safety strategy of the SMRs Conclusions: SMR, an opportunity to be confirmed Harmonization Licensing of new technologies Public trust References Generation IV nuclear reactors Chapter outline Introduction Multinational design evaluation program Generation IV nuclear energy systems Technological state of the art and anticipated developments Next-generation nuclear plant Generation IV systems Very-high-temperature reactor Molten salt reactor Sodium-cooled fast reactor Super critical water-cooled reactor Advantage and challenges GIF Progress up to 2012 Gas-cooled fast reactor Lead-cooled fast reactor Next generation of nuclear power reactors for power production Goals for Generation IV nuclear energy systems Why we need to consider the future role of nuclear power now The Generation IV roadmap project Licensing strategy components Market and industry status and potentials Barriers Needs Synergies with other sectors References Nuclear desalination Chapter outline Introduction Desalination technologies Thermal desalination processes Multistage flash distillation Multieffect distillation Vapor compression distillation Membrane desalination processes Reverse osmosis Electrodialysis Hybrid systems Status of nuclear desalination Economics of nuclear desalination Cost evaluation methods International Atomic Energy Agency tools on nuclear desalination Safety aspects of nuclear desalination Coupling Thermal coupling to distillation (MSF or MED) process Electrical coupling to an RO (with or without preheat) process Radioactive contamination of product water Transients Water quality and monitoring Availability of product water Siting and proximity to population centers Environmental impacts of nuclear desalination Marine impacts Seawater intake impacts Effluent disposal impacts Coastal impacts Construction impacts Land use impacts Noise and visual impacts Atmospheric impacts Siting impacts Socioeconomic impacts of nuclear desalination Social impacts Economic impacts Public health impacts New technologies for nuclear desalination Conclusions References Nuclear hydrogen Chapter outline Introduction Use of medium-temperature heat and electricity from fast reactors in the traditional method of steam methane reforming Use of electricity from fast reactors in the mode of underloading of their output power for hydrogen production by s ... Conclusion References Engineering materials in advanced space applications Chapter outline Constrains for energy in space Latest advancements in nuclear power in space Novel engineered nano-materials, a leap forward in nuclear technology Micro-hetero-structure and fission products Micro-fractal materials in self-repairing nuclear structures Nano-clustered materials in direct extraction of transmutation products Nuclear radiation guiding in nano-structured materials Nano-hetero-structures in direct nuclear energy conversion in electricity Hetero-nano-materials in active quantum nuclear systems Applications Strategic and tactical space applications of nuclear power Conclusions References Nonpower applications of nuclear technology Chapter outline Introduction Nonelectric applications of nuclear energy Water desalination District heating and industrial process heat supply Hydrogen production Other nonelectric applications Radiation technologies in agriculture and food production Radiation and life Radiation stimulation of growth and development Radiation inhibition of growth and development Radiation in pest control Food irradiation Processing fruits and vegetables Processing species and seasonings Processing meat, poultry, fish, seafood Other types of commodities for microbial decontamination Safety of irradiated food Radiation safety Toxicological safety and nutritional value Ionizing radiation and radioisotopes in healthcare Nuclear medicine Radiological diagnosis Radionuclide diagnosis Radiotherapy Radiation sterilization for medical applications Sterile insect technique Safe environment Other spheres of nonpower nuclear applications Inspection and instrumentation Material sciences Activation analysis Radioisotope dating Conclusion References Nuclear hybrid energy system Chapter outline Introduction The economics of nuclear and renewable energy Hybrid nuclear renewable plants Hybrid power technologies and applications Hybrid nuclear and natural gas Hybrid nuclear and coal Hybrid nuclear and solar energy Hybrid nuclear and energy storage Hybrid power technologies and applications Why hybrid energy now? Fuel savings make a powerful case for hybrid diesel generator systems Battery selection The generator The controller Site trails Environmental benefits Terracon energy container Renewable Energy Mobile Utility System (REMUS) concept Energy for the future Hybrid-Nuclear Energy (21st century game changer) References Nuclear power plant development Chapter Outline Introduction General nuclear power program development considerations International technical assistance and cooperation Policy development and infrastructure assessments Nuclear power plant technology and nuclear fuel cycle assessments International nuclear governance regime and instruments Public communication and stakeholder involvement Organizational development and capacity building Nuclear power project financing and project management Implementation challenges and issues and risk management Conclusions References Nuclear-powered space reactor Chapter outline Introduction The history of nuclear energy use in space applications Nuclear applications in the American space program Nuclear applications in the Russian space program Nuclear applications in the European space program Nuclear propulsion for spacecraft Generating thrust in spacecraft Usage of nuclear rockets in spacecraft Launching of rockets with nuclear rockets Benefits of using nuclear energy in space applications Using gas core nuclear reactors for propulsion in spacecraft Nuclear lightbulb model in spacecraft Nuclear detonation for propulsion in spacecraft (nuclear pulse propulsion) Fusion propulsion in spacecraft Material concerns in spacecraft for nuclear propulsion systems Shielding concerns for nuclear spacecraft Nuclear energy utilization for space stations and space habitats Nuclear power generation in space stations Nuclear power generation in space habitats Current nuclear systems in space exploration Conclusion References Further reading Nuclear power plant systems Chapter outline Introduction to nuclear power plants Types of nuclear power plants Large nuclear power plants Conventional nuclear reactors Gen IV nuclear reactor concepts Advanced nuclear reactors (Gen III) Small- to medium-sized nuclear power plants Comparison between large nuclear power reactors and small modular reactors Constructive features of nuclear power plants Fabrication Transportation Construction Plant safety Reduced source term Eliminated accident vulnerabilities Improved decay heat removal Operational flexibilities Site selection Load demand Grid stability Water usage Demand growth Plant economics Total projected cost Economy of scale Investment risk Small modular reactor design options Nuclear reactor design and construction Nuclear safety in nuclear reactor conceptual design Technical description of nuclear demonstration plant Depressurization strategy in NPP Flow instabilities in double-channel natural circulation boiling systems Ship-based small nuclear power reactors A design study on MOX-fueled small fast reactor IAEA activities on nuclear power plants Passive safety system Category A Category B Category C Natural circulation Test facility and instrumentation Natural circulation under normal conditions Activities in the field of Small NPPs ABV-Reactor Small high temperature gas-cooled reactors with innovative nuclear burning A long-life small reactor for developing countries (LSPR) Generation-IV multi-application small light water reactor (MASLWR) Seawater desalination Marine reactor-X (MRX) Deep sea reactor (DRX) Space reactors Passive safe small reactor for distributed energy supply system (PSRD) System integrated modular reactor (SMART) CAREM 4S (Super, safe, small, and simple reactor) International reactor innovative and secure (IRIS) Conclusion References Index Back Cover