31 July 2017 to 4 August 2017
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
US/Central timezone

Accelerator Driven Subcritical Reactors for Weapons-Grade Plutonium Disposition and Energy Generation

3 Aug 2017, 14:20
25m
West Wing (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory)

West Wing

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

Presentation Accelerators Accelerators

Speaker

Dr Robert Abrams (Muons, Inc.)

Description

We discuss the GEM*STAR reactor concept, which addresses all historical reactor failures, which includes an internal spallation neutron target and high temperature molten salt fuel with continuous purging of volatile radioactive fission products such that the reactor contains less than a critical mass and almost a million times fewer volatile radioactive fission products than conventional reactors like those at Fukushima. GEM*STAR is a reactor that without redesign will burn spent nuclear fuel, natural uranium, thorium, or surplus weapons material. It will operate without the need for a critical core, fuel enrichment, or reprocessing making it an excellent candidate for export. While conventional nuclear reactors are becoming more and more difficult to license and expensive to build, SRF technology development is on a steep learning curve and the simplicity implied by subcritical operation will lead to reductions in regulatory hurdles and construction complexity.

Primary authors

Dr Mary Anne Cummings (Muons, Inc.) Dr Rolland Johnson (Muons, Inc.)

Co-authors

Dr Robert Abrams (Muons, Inc.) Dr Thomas Roberts (Muons, Inc.)

Presentation materials