Al-Quds University Faculty of Science And Technology Physics Department Portable Nuclear Reactor VS Traditional By Maram shawasha Instructor Dr: Adnan Alham 2016

Introduction NUCLEAR FUEL NUCLEAR FISSION NUCLEAR CHAIN REACTIONS SMR vs Large Why Small Reactors Can Work Summary References Contents

I. Introduction  What if the energy from The traditional nuclear power plant requires large everything: capital, employees, security, land, and resources.  these plants could be harnessed in a new way, a method involving a much smaller reactor?  In the last 30 years, the nuclear industry has made leaps and bounds in figuring out the technology and the potential designs of portable nuclear reactors, transforming this idea from a far thought into a near reality.  Compact nuclear reactors have the potential to change the way we approach nuclear energy, presenting the idea of owning and operating your own backyard reactor.

I.2 NUCLEAR FUEL  Nuclear fuel is any material that can be consumed to derive nuclear energy. The most common type of nuclear fuel is fissile elements that can be made to undergo nuclear fission chain reactions in a nuclear reactor.  The most common nuclear fuels are 235 U and 239 Pu. Not all nuclear fuels are used in fission chain reactions.

II.1 NUCLEAR FISSION II.1 NUCLEAR FISSION  When a neutron strikes an atom of uranium, the uranium splits ingto two lighter atoms and releases heat simultaneously.  Fission of heavy elements is an exothermic reaction which can release large amounts of energy both as electromagnetic radiation and as kinetic energy of the fragments.

U235 + n → fission + 2 or 3 n MeV

NUCLEAR CHAIN REACTIONS II.2 NUCLEAR CHAIN REACTIONS A chain reaction refers to a process in which neutrons released in fission produce an additional fission in at least one further nucleus. This nucleus in turn produces neutrons, and the process repeats. If the process is controlled it is used for nuclear power or if uncontrolled it is used for nuclear weapons.

U n → fission + 2 or 3 n MeV  If each neutron releases two more neutrons, then the number of fissions doubles each generation. In that case, in 10 generations there are 1,024 fissions and in 80 generations about 6 x (a mole) fissions.

III. SMR vs Large 1- output : SMR Reactors Large Reactors SMR Reactors Large Reactors According to the NRC -The IAEA defines “Small” Reactors According to the NRC large commercial plants those with an output under 300 MWe. large commercial plants today generate between -Today a medium sized reactor would be one today generate between 1000 and 1700 MWe with an output between 500 to 700 Mwe and 1700 MWe -MWe = Mega Watts of electricity as apposed to a MWt, which is Mega Watts of thermal energy.

2- Cost of Generation : SMR Reactors : - It is a difficult to give an accurate average cost because of the range in sizes, designs, whether it is off-grid or on-grid. -However, each company that is designing new units claims that the cost will be competitive with large scale nuclear power. - The Department of Energy (DOE) has estimated that a 50 MWe unit in the U.S. will cost between 5.4 to 10.7 cents/kwh depending on the above parameters

Large Reactors : The World Nuclear Association estimates the cost of nuclear power from large reactors to be in the range of 3.5 to 5.5 cents/kwh

Drastic Difference : Drastic Difference : On the left you see the actual SMR core On the right you see two average sized cooling towers a large reactor

Why Small Reactors Can Work 1. Good for the Environment 2. Good for the Grid and lack there of one 3. They are small and do not use much land 4. Can be quite economical 5. Safe & Secure

Good for the Environment 1. Good for the Environment -With the ominous concerns and potential regulation of green house gas emissions SMRs have almost zero emissions. - Would not be affected by Cap and Trade * Government may give incentives for companies to use SMRs to decrease emissions No heating of nearby waters

Good for the Grid and lack there of one 2. Good for the Grid and lack there of one 1. When used within a any grid, SMRs ease pressure from grid when it is overburdened. Users, in some places, can also sell electricity back to utilities 2. Cost effective alternative for areas with little or no access to the main grid: - Developing countries -Isolated populations 3. Also, often times large nuclear reactor’s outputs far exceed what such a grid could handle. 4. Distributed Generation- Could become cost effectivefor large industrial facilities or communities togeneration their own on-site power.

3. Easy On Land Use 1. Most of the reactors in production today are designed to be placed underground, with only a small building if any above ground. 2. May be placed in isolated areas or right by the costumers- Flexibility. 3. No onsite construction because SMRs can be built at the factory and transported by truck or train: -little detrimental effect on land from construction as with large plants -As a result, few siting issues when being licensed

4. Economical 1.Built similar to a car on a production line in standard designs that are easily transportable 2. Construction time is short compared to large facilities, resulting in less initial capital investment 3. Passive safety system reduce costs 4. Competitive electricity rates in many areas 5. Far less maintenance 6. Infrequent, simple refueling and little waste storage

Safe & Secure 1. Passive systems- no mechanically or electrically triggered safety systems. 2. Very little waste to store 3. Only needs to be refueled every 10 to 30 years 4. Waste is not as radioactive as with large facilities 5.Core underground - hard task for a terrorist to dig up 6. Fuel is not enriched enough to enrich into weapons grade plutonium or uranium

Summary Modern Small Reactors are simplified efficient designs, can be mass produced economically, and will dramatically reduce siting costs. The high level of passive safety technology combined with the lack of an environmental impact makes SMRs a wise choice for certain future energy needs.

References [1] ML-1- The First Nuclear Gas Turbine Built in the U.S. [Online]. Available at [2] [3] Energy at Less than $0.01 per kW-hour: An Interview with Alex Xanthoulis. Available at [4] ​modular-nuclear-reac​tors [5] Widom-Larsen Theory Simplified. [Online]. Available at [6] Small Modular Nuclear Reactors. [Online]. Available at

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