A must read article for those energy interested, is
"Too Good to Leave on the Shelf" by David LeBlanc. David is a nuclear scientist at the Department of Physics, Carleton University.
In this article David makes three important points.
"Molten salt reactors may seem like a odd technology that’s been on a strange trip in obscurity, but given a fair hearing, the MSR’s day could be at hand."
"MSRs produce them (heavier elements, transuranics) at much lower rates and recycle them, thus the long-lived radiotoxocity of MSR waste is one-ten-thousandth that of a LWR. "
"However, the robust, inherent and simple-to-understand safety of these reactors suggests that if given a rational overview by a regulatory body, they may in fact prove relatively simple to license.
"Too Good to Leave on the Shelf" by David LeBlanc. David is a nuclear scientist at the Department of Physics, Carleton University.
In this article David makes three important points.
"Molten salt reactors may seem like a odd technology that’s been on a strange trip in obscurity, but given a fair hearing, the MSR’s day could be at hand."
"MSRs produce them (heavier elements, transuranics) at much lower rates and recycle them, thus the long-lived radiotoxocity of MSR waste is one-ten-thousandth that of a LWR. "
"However, the robust, inherent and simple-to-understand safety of these reactors suggests that if given a rational overview by a regulatory body, they may in fact prove relatively simple to license.
David argues against putting the molten salt reactor back on the shelf a second time:
"...every indication points to a power reactor that will excel in cost, safety, long-term waste reduction, resource utilization, and proliferation resistance. As we move deeper into a century that portends financial instability, political uncertainty, environmental catastrophe, and resource depletion, this technology is too valuable to once again place back on the shelf."
Head over to Mechanical Engineering for the full article.
Too Good to Leave on the Shelf, Mechanical Engineering, David LeBlanc
Molten Salt Reactor Patent, David LeBlanc
Liquid Fluoride Reactors: A New Beginning for an Old Idea, Google Tech Talk, David LeBlanc
"...every indication points to a power reactor that will excel in cost, safety, long-term waste reduction, resource utilization, and proliferation resistance. As we move deeper into a century that portends financial instability, political uncertainty, environmental catastrophe, and resource depletion, this technology is too valuable to once again place back on the shelf."
Head over to Mechanical Engineering for the full article.
Too Good to Leave on the Shelf, Mechanical Engineering, David LeBlanc
Molten Salt Reactor Patent, David LeBlanc
Liquid Fluoride Reactors: A New Beginning for an Old Idea, Google Tech Talk, David LeBlanc