tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post3169161981050074779..comments2023-12-16T02:54:11.470-08:00Comments on Left Atomics: Large vs. Small LFTR ReactorsD. Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534202024416062943noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-82708565466253953732013-11-25T09:37:39.920-08:002013-11-25T09:37:39.920-08:00The manufacturing process lends itself to repeatin...The manufacturing process lends itself to repeating operations. It is very challenging to run a six-sigma/lean operation in a one-off/job shop/custom configuration operation. The opportunity for and isolation of error grows with the Root of the Sum of the Squares. Simply - the more parts, the more opportunity there is for error. Diminishing Returns would play the key role in scalability. Say 1kW units can be bundled this way to 500kw before losses overcome benefits. These breakpoints would determine module sizes or Product Families - think 'AAA' 'AA' 'C' 'D' batteries. Manufacturing is an exercise in Eating the Elephant one bite at a time. The operations are broken into 'bite sized' pieces to manage complexities, then can be further modified to balance operation timing cycles to produce at rate/on-demand. Personally I'd love to be the Manufacturing Engineer over development of this kind of power generation. The advantages simply out weigh the disadvantages.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07570441860334069228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-36784546360311613032013-08-12T01:06:39.077-07:002013-08-12T01:06:39.077-07:00In our collective enthusiasm for modular LFTR desi...In our collective enthusiasm for modular LFTR designs we should not forgot that a major objection to nuclear energy from the green lobby is the waste issue. Among some of my green acquaintances this seems to be as important as the risk of explosion associated with PWRs. Now I know that LFTRs produce enormously less radioactive waste material, which has a much shorter half-life than the waste products of the uranium plutonium fuel cycle, but when smaller distributed reactors are proposed for process heat or desalination, what about the decommissioning issues. Process industries respond rapidly to market changes and are very cost sensitive. Their life is often relatively short and plants open and close depending on the demand for their products and their profitability. If small LFTRs are used to power such industries there is likely to be a significant number of shut down nuclear plants to manage. The ORNL MSRE plant required a highly expensive decommissioning project to make it safe many years after it was shutdown. It would significantly skew the economics of process heat reactors if the decommissioning costs were included. Unless, of course, decommissioning can also be tackled in a more modular way!John in the Lothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03859716926230240245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-77804508149564741912013-02-25T01:20:42.110-08:002013-02-25T01:20:42.110-08:00Good idea. It reminds me of Ludwick's Jari pro...Good idea. It reminds me of Ludwick's Jari project, where paper mill components were shipped from Japan to the Amazon basin <a href="http://www.lingerie-supply.com/" rel="nofollow">wholesale lingerie</a>sports sharinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17191127858780720772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-35915034667203500502011-07-11T20:10:39.932-07:002011-07-11T20:10:39.932-07:00Wholesale NFL Jerseys,choose NFL Jerseys in our we...Wholesale NFL Jerseys,choose NFL Jerseys in our web,they are complete in styles,custom nfl jerseys,here will be right place to get these NFL Jerseys<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nflmlbjerseys.com/" rel="nofollow">cheap baseball jerseys</a><br /><a href="http://www.nflmlbjerseys.com/" rel="nofollow">cheap hockey jerseys</a><br /><a href="http://www.nflmlbjerseys.com/" rel="nofollow">Custom NFL Jersey</a><br /><a href="http://www.nflmlbjerseys.com/NFL-Jerseys-c32/" rel="nofollow">NFL Jerseys</a><br /><a href="http://www.nflmlbjerseys.com/" rel="nofollow">cheap authentic nfl jerseys</a><br /><a href="http://www.bestjerseysky.com/" rel="nofollow">Cheap Authentic NFL Jerseys</a><br /><a href="http://www.bestjerseysky.com/" rel="nofollow">Wholesale Authentic NFL Jerseys</a>wswseohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08597015897302759241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-88633568441263708062010-12-09T03:30:19.869-08:002010-12-09T03:30:19.869-08:00The shutdown was kind of a funny thing in a way. F...The shutdown was kind of a funny thing in a way. For years, Argonne had been struggling to be noticed, not to mention funded, among a number of other nuclear energy programs. Then finally we were about the only one left. It was kind of a feeling of triumph for about a week, followed by the realization that we then had nowhere to hide. The end came pretty quickly after that. I don't know if that is an accurate account of what really happened, but it sure seemed that way. <b><a href="http://www.coffee-world.us" rel="nofollow">coffee makers</a></b>Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03796047869473216151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-63910934361667837652010-11-18T04:40:21.953-08:002010-11-18T04:40:21.953-08:00Good idea. It reminds me of Ludwick's Jari pro...Good idea. It reminds me of Ludwick's Jari project, where paper mill components were shipped from Japan to the Amazon basin. <a href="http://www.alphacleaningcompany.com/" rel="nofollow">office cleaning Schaumburg</a>Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03796047869473216151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-19234027698235871662010-10-11T05:03:46.842-07:002010-10-11T05:03:46.842-07:00I also used the Boeing example and MIT's modul...I also used the Boeing example and MIT's modularization of the pebble bed reactor in the blog<br />pebblebedreactor.blogspot.com<br />but more R&D is needed on the LFTR to validate your idea. Are you and Kirk Sorenson able to influence the direction of the Gen IV international effort on molten salt reactors? <br /><a href="http://www.ideaslight.com/" rel="nofollow">wholesale wedding dresses</a>Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03796047869473216151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-12896221970319824992010-09-03T23:11:13.696-07:002010-09-03T23:11:13.696-07:00Large footers would always be more appealing as co...Large footers would always be more appealing as compared to small footers as they are easy to read. We understand things better when they are more clear, bold and larger. This better understanding will provide a user friendly environment to the reader. As in the case of small footers, it should only be used if there is a cramp for space.<br /><a href="http://www.malltop1.com" rel="nofollow">sexy lingerie</a>Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03796047869473216151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-612756465408494802009-07-17T13:40:32.602-07:002009-07-17T13:40:32.602-07:00A 125 MW power plant that cost a billion dollars h...A 125 MW power plant that cost a billion dollars has about a ten year payback, depending on the interest rate of the funds, at a 10cent KWH retail cost. <br /><br />This means that people with funds to invest will be able to totally recoup that investment in a reasonable time and will gain a strong profit on that afterward. <br /><br />A smaller unit makes more sense because a modular small unit needs less capital than a large unit and can begin producing electricity sooner so that the time between investment and return is much less. <br /><br />Also, if we use a distributed system, the line losses can be eliminated or reduced considerably so that a 125 MWe reactor place close to the point of use will be the equivalent of a 300 MWe plant at a distance. <br /><br />In this way 7 small 125MW reactors could replace a 2000 MW large reactor for far less cost, faster time to initial use, and better load following. It also distributes the jobs involved. <br /><br />The main problems here are regulatory. Can and will the NRC allow such a distributed system? <br /><br />This kind of investment would attract capital if the risk of government regulations changing while the plants are built could be eliminated. <br /><br />Economies of scale have more to do with volume manufactured than with the size of manufacture. <br /><br />Also, because a small power plant about 100MWt is about the size needed to power a ship or other large vessel, the potential market for a smaller size could be much larger than the electricity market. This is Rod Adam's contention.<br /><br />I think it is a valid contention. This scale of production will compete very well on a price basis with any fossil fuel, leaving the technical challenges of U233 as the main issues.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05131363011633625573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-77653867499523391192009-06-26T20:09:22.459-07:002009-06-26T20:09:22.459-07:00Distributed energy is best; so factory build and s...Distributed energy is best; so factory build and sealed and shipped at less than shipping container size is the only way to go; centralized combos have had their chance and blew it; end of storyjanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04367768577411749262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-24082387631861714692009-06-25T09:19:32.022-07:002009-06-25T09:19:32.022-07:00For the small-medium businesses who are struggling...For the small-medium businesses who are struggling with server issues, think about investing in a load balancer.<br /><br /><br />http://www.kemptechnologies.com/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=pv&utm_content=zs&utm_campaign=homeBlogkinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04964786536489125414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-54302980418961651562009-06-24T23:10:48.632-07:002009-06-24T23:10:48.632-07:00The trouble is that the NRC distorts the economics...The trouble is that the NRC distorts the economics, because the site license isn't any cheaper for a small reactor. <br /><br />With large reactors, if you build enough of them, can have economies of scale. The AP1000 has a modular design, so much of the components would be built in a factory in any case.Joel Upchurchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11087689650811872292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-83786218177097834172009-06-20T11:32:00.578-07:002009-06-20T11:32:00.578-07:00There is not question that a large number of large...There is not question that a large number of larger reactors can save on Balance-of-Plant resources. But as Jason points out, not all power is bested sited per this criteria.<br /><br />The advantage of smaller units is that they can be used far more effectively for grid blanance, peaking power, voltage and frequency control when used closest to the load or decentralized.<br /><br />The ideal grid, IMHO, is one where you do have a number of large "nuplexes" but balanced with a diffuse spread of large and small reactors through the load area.<br /><br />DavidD. Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04534202024416062943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-61982698934770002722009-06-20T11:29:42.925-07:002009-06-20T11:29:42.925-07:00Don't forget, Jason, that the LFTR, regardless...Don't forget, Jason, that the LFTR, regardless of the size, using only about 1/3 the amount of cooling since it doesn't need a large heat sink/or delta t of temperature co-efficient. The Brayton cycle engines need very little cooling in general. This makes the LFTR, of any, size, far more water efficient than anyother type of reactor.D. Waltershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04534202024416062943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-52673182645185279092009-06-18T18:31:16.370-07:002009-06-18T18:31:16.370-07:00Reactors that come in the current jumbo size are o...Reactors that come in the current jumbo size are only suitable for certain areas where cooling resources and grid infrastructure can handle. There are so many "small" sized coal plants in this country that could be replaced by say 1-3 modular smaller sized nuclear units so that a campaign to rid us of coal would be much more feasible. <br /><br />But of course there is also the regulatory infrastructure issues which would need to change to make this is a reality.Jason Ribeirohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06863185203119704249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-320690524543640637.post-38052840650538399772009-06-18T13:43:57.593-07:002009-06-18T13:43:57.593-07:00I think if you can build at least six or more larg...I think if you can build at least six or more large (1GWe plus) nuclear power plants at one site, then they would have an economic advantage over building small 150 GWe or less centrally manufactured reactors since the large reactors could take advantage of both economies of scale and mass production. Subsequent reactors should be a lot cheaper than the first reactor built on site (first of a kind cost). <br /><br />However, such large nuclear sites would only be advantageous if they were mostly producing hydrocarbon synfuels.<br /><br />But if we're only going to build nuclear reactors purely for domestic electricity production then small centrally mass produced reactors probably have the economic advantage.Marcel F. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16245086958213100840noreply@blogger.com