PRISM (reactor)

PRISM (Power Reactor Innovative Small Module) is an advanced nuclear reactor design developed by General Electric Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH). It is a type of integral fast reactor (IFR), which is a class of fast neutron reactor designed to close the nuclear fuel cycle, offering improvements in nuclear waste management and resource utilization. The PRISM design is based on the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) that was operated by the Argonne National Laboratory in the United States from 1964 to 1994.

Design and Features

The PRISM reactor is designed to use a sodium coolant, which allows for operation at atmospheric pressure and at higher temperatures than traditional water-cooled reactors. This design choice contributes to the reactor's high level of safety and efficiency. The reactor core is compact and integrates the primary system components, including the reactor vessel, steam generators, and pumps, into a single module. This integral design approach simplifies construction, maintenance, and operation.

One of the key features of the PRISM reactor is its ability to burn a variety of nuclear fuels, including depleted uranium, spent nuclear fuel from other reactors, and plutonium, thus reducing the amount of long-lived radioactive waste. The reactor is capable of generating approximately 311 megawatts of electricity (MWe), making it suitable for small to medium-sized power generation applications.

Safety

The PRISM reactor incorporates several passive safety features that rely on natural physical principles, such as gravity and natural convection, to ensure safety in the event of an operational anomaly or accident. These features include a passive decay heat removal system and the use of metallic fuel, which has a higher thermal conductivity than traditional oxide fuels, enhancing the reactor's ability to manage and dissipate heat.

Development and Prospects

The development of the PRISM reactor has been influenced by research and operational experience from the EBR-II project. Although the PRISM design has not yet been constructed or operated, it represents a significant advancement in nuclear reactor technology, with the potential to address some of the most pressing issues facing the nuclear power industry, including waste management, fuel supply, and safety.

As of the last update, efforts to commercialize the PRISM reactor are ongoing, with GEH actively seeking opportunities for demonstration projects. The successful deployment of PRISM reactors could play a crucial role in the expansion of nuclear power as a sustainable and low-carbon energy source in the future.

See Also

• Nuclear reactor technology
• Fast neutron reactor
• Nuclear fuel cycle
• Sodium-cooled fast reactor

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