Abstract
This review summarizes the development of the Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) concept from the early 1970s until now, focusing specifically on structural materials and advanced fuel cladding materials. Materials for future nuclear energy systems must operate under more extreme conditions than those in the current Gen II or Gen III systems. These conditions include higher temperatures, a higher displacement per atom, and more corrosive environments. This paper reviews previous GFR concepts in light of several promising candidate materials for the GFR system. It also reviews the recent development of nuclear power and its use in the peaceful exploration of space. The final section focuses on the development and testing of new advanced materials such as SiCf/SiC composites and high entropy alloys (HEA) for the construction and development of GFRs.
Highlights
A combined strategy of employing all major sustainable clean energy options, including renewables, nuclear, efficiency, and conservation, can prevent the negative effects of climatic changes by the end of this century
Nuclear power is a part of the energy mix in 14 of the 28 European Union (EU) member states, representing 25% of the electricity produced in the EU (2017) [2]
The highest share of heat was produced from natural gas and manufactured gases (39.2%), which was followed by renewable energies (26.5%) and solid fossil fuels (23.2%) [2]
Summary
A combined strategy of employing all major sustainable clean energy options, including renewables, nuclear, efficiency, and conservation, can prevent the negative effects of climatic changes by the end of this century. Nuclear power is a part of the energy mix in 14 of the 28 European Union (EU) member states, representing 25% of the electricity produced in the EU (2017) [2]. The highest share of heat was produced from natural gas and manufactured gases (39.2%), which was followed by renewable energies (26.5%) and solid fossil fuels (23.2%) [2]. Even though it is not yet a deeply explored issue in the EU, the heat generated by nuclear power plants could be used for several applications, such as cooling, heating, process heat, desalination, hydrogen production, and the oil sand/oil shale extraction in Canada.
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