A new concept of nuclear technology

In recent times there has been great interest in a new concept of nuclear technology to obtain electricity, and this interest is very possibly due to the fact that Bill Gates has been one of its promoters through his company Terra Power.

This new technology is offered by a new company called Natrium that is collaborating with South Korean companies to set up a first test facility in Woyming (USA). It is a fast reactor cooled by sodium, and coupled to a molten salt energy storage system. The molten salts heat water, and the steam drives the turbines that generate electricity.

You can see more information on the company's website: https://natriumpower.com/

Since molten salts can maintain temperatures for several hours, this makes electrical power generation much more flexible and efficient than current nuclear generators.

Sodium reactors can be built in a variety of sizes, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. They can also be deployed quickly and cost-effectively, making them a good choice for meeting the growing demand for clean energy.

The reactors are also safer, and use a passive safety system that does not require the active intervention of the operators in the event of an accident. This makes them a very attractive option for countries looking to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

Here's how it works in a very simplified way:

Sodium reactors work by using the heat from a nuclear reaction to heat a molten salt. This molten salt is then used to generate steam, which turns a turbine to generate electricity.

Molten salt is important because it has a number of advantages over traditional water-cooled nuclear reactors. Molten salt is not flammable, so there is no risk of a vapor explosion. It is also a very good conductor of heat, making it more efficient in transferring heat from the reactor to the turbine.

Also, molten salt can be stored at high temperatures for long periods of time. This allows Natrium's reactors to be switched on and off quickly, making them very flexible and well suited to meet the changing demands of the power grid.

A video can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/QXTt4cGjYhQ

Benefits of sodium reactors

Sodium reactors offer a number of advantages over traditional nuclear reactors. They are more efficient, safer and more flexible.

And these reactors are more flexible because they can be turned on and off quickly. This makes them well suited to meet the varying demands of the power grid.

The future of this type of reactor looks very promising. They have the potential to revolutionize the nuclear industry and make nuclear power a more affordable and accessible option to meet the world's energy needs.

But like all nuclear reactors, they have the problem of their waste, although we must bear in mind that there are two types of nuclear waste: high activity waste and low activity waste.

High-level waste is the most radioactive and dangerous type of nuclear waste. It is produced from the fission of uranium in nuclear reactors. High-level waste contains long-lived radioactive isotopes that can remain hazardous for thousands of years.

Low level waste is less radioactive and dangerous than high level waste. It is produced from a variety of sources, including nuclear power plants, hospitals, and research facilities. Low-level waste contains short-lived radioactive isotopes that can remain hazardous for hundreds of years.

Nuclear waste from sodium reactors

Sodium reactors will produce either high or low level waste. The amount of waste produced will depend on the size of the reactor and the amount and type of fuel used.

The high level waste from Natrium's reactors will be similar to the high level waste from traditional nuclear reactors. It will contain long-lived (thousands of years) radioactive isotopes that will need to be disposed of safely.

The low level waste from Natrium's reactors will be similar to the low level waste from traditional nuclear reactors. It will contain short-lived radioactive isotopes that can be disposed of in a number of ways, including shallow burial in the ground, deep geological disposal, and incineration.

And this continues to be a problem that needs to be managed, and it has to be recognized that there is great public opposition to the disposal of nuclear waste in any form.

Despite these challenges, it is important to find a way to safely dispose of nuclear waste. Because nuclear power is a clean and efficient source of energy, but it produces radioactive waste that must be managed carefully.

And the energy challenge that we face requires analyzing all the possibilities of obtaining energy in non-polluting ways, without eliminating any possibility a priori.

Time will tell us if we are right or wrong in our decisions.