1. Nuclear James F. Stubbins, Professor and Head
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois
National Energy SuperGrid Workshop
Palo Alto, CA
7 November 2002
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

2. Overview Nuclear Power & Status Nuclear – Critical Issues
Advanced Systems
déjà vu all over again
Perspective and Challenges
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

3. Efficient Energy Conversion
E = m c2
Energy, E, is produced from
the change in mass, m, of
the reaction products
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

4. Chicago Pile 1
First Critical,
December 2, 1942
Enrico Fermi

5. Nuclear Energy has been with us from the beginning
And God said
“Let there be light, and there was light.”
Genesis 1:3
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

6. Nuclear Power: Fission Power Status
20% US Electricity (Illinois is 50% Nuclear Electricity)
First Reactor: 60 years old
Commercial Power: <50 years old
Wide Variety of Commercial Systems
L/HWR’s: High Pressure, Low Temperature
GCR’s: High Pressure, Intermediate to High Temp
LMR’s: Low Pressure, Intermediate Temp
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

7. Boiling Water Reactor

8. Pressurized Water Reactor

9. Major Developments: What’s New
Fission Power – 103 Units
Improved Performance
Life Extension
Streamlined Licensing
Growing World-Wide
Advanced Reactor Concepts
30 “New” Reactors
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

10. Major Issues Siting Security Environment Economics Waste
Advanced Concepts: Dedicated vs. Versatile
Public Acceptance
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

11. Major Issues: Siting & Security
Depends on Public
Depends on Operating Temperature and Waste Heat
Decoupled from End User
Superconducting Transmission
Hydrogen Transport
Containment and Perimeter
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

12. Major Issues: Environment
Non-emitting
Waste Heat
Nuclear Waste
Energy Security
Self-Sustainable Resources and Energy Supply
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

13. Major Issues: Waste Yucca Mountain Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiatives
Progress, but
Limited Capacity
Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiatives
Transmutation Technologies
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

18. Major Issues: New Concepts
Generation IV Concepts
Advanced Light Water Reactor
Gas Cooled Reactor
Liquid Metal Reactor
Alternates – Molten Salt, etc.
Dedicated vs. Flexible Reactor
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

20. Energy Conversion Nuclear  Thermal  Electrical  Chemical
Existing system, but inefficient
Nuclear  Thermal  Chemical
Several possibilities, but high temperatures and pressures
Nuclear  Chemical
Radiolysis, but limited production capabilities
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

22. déjà vu all over again GE - ESPD Fuel Cells Solar Tower
Superconducting Transmission – Atlantic Corridor, Nb3Sn
Coal Gasification and Liquifaction
Gas-Cooled Reactors (†Sunnyvale ~1983)
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

23. Gas-Cooled Reactors, late 70’s
Germany (UK)
Coal Gasification and Liquifaction
Japan
Steel Making – Reduction of Iron Ore US
Electricity: Direct Cycle Gas Turbines
Nuclear Process Heat
Fort St. Vrain – 650C
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

24. Perspective and Challenges
Technology
Advanced Reactors
Fuel Cycles and Waste
Competing/Complementary Sources
Materials
Public
Economics
Reliability
Safety & Security
Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign