Abstract
Anticipated developments in the consumer energy market have led developers of nuclear energy concepts to consider how innovations in energy technology can be adapted to meet consumer needs. Properties of molten lead or lead-bismuth alloy coolants in lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) systems offer potential advantages for reactors with passive safety characteristics, modular deployment, and fuel cycle flexibility. In addition to realizing those engineering objectives, the feasibility of such systems will rest on development or selection of fuels and materials suitable for use with corrosive lead or lead-bismuth. Three proposed LFR systems, with varying levels of concept maturity, are described to illustrate their associated fuels and materials challenges. Nitride fuels are generally favored for LFR use over metal or oxide fuels due to their compatibility with molten lead and lead-bismuth, in addition to their high atomic density and thermal conductivity. Ferritic/martensitic stainless steels, perhaps with silicon and/or oxide-dispersion additions for enhanced coolant compatibility and improved high-temperature strength, might prove sufficient for low-to-moderate-temperature LFRs, but it appears that ceramics or refractory metal alloys will be necessary for higher-temperature LFR systems intended for production of hydrogen energy carriers.
Highlights
Anticipated developments in the consumer energy market have led developers of nuclear energy concepts to consider how innovations in energy technology can be adapted to meet consumer needs
The properties of lead and lead-bismuth eutectic coolants allow for the design of lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) systems with innovation features.realization of such systems requires further development of technology to address issues with fuels and materials in these systems
Fuels and core materials used for sodium-cooled fast reactor application could be attractive for LFR application; issues or uncertainties with the compatibility of those fuels and materials with lead and lead-bismuth eutectics must be addressed
Summary
The demand for affordable energy will continue to grow based on both population growth and increases in per capita energy usage. The nuclear plants are usually sited remotely from population centers, and the electricity generated is distributed via high-voltage transmission lines This technology was developed during a time when electricity production was part of a regulated market and nuclear plants were essentially designed in a manner similar to coal plants. The cost of operating a nuclear plant is low compared to other sources, but the capital cost to build the plant is larger than other technologies While these central station plants are likely to continue to be a significant portion of the 21st century energy distribution systems, the changes in the manner in which energy is produced and distributed allow for the possibility that nuclear systems can be used in a different manner. Following the description of each plant, a section on critical fuels and materials R&D needs is presented
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