Pebble Bed Reactor
University of Calgary
Fundamentals of Nuclear Energy
Najee Elbaroudi
James Cody Webber
Taylor Donegan
Mar 28/16
Abstract
One of the most effective ways of converting the natural energy stored in the Earth into usable electricity for everyday life is through the use of nuclear chain reactions created in nuclear reactors. Countries such as China, South Africa and the US have implemented a special kind of reactor to capture the vast amount of energy given off by these nuclear reactions. The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) acts as a low cost, low maintenance unique set up designed to differentiate from other common nuclear reactors as well as holding the distinct feature of being meltdown proof due to an effect known as Doppler Broadening. The aim of this paper is to accurately label the pros and cons of the PBMR with respect to socio-economics, health, and safety. Furthermore, the mechanics behind a fairly recent invention is laid out to understand …show more content…
In the early 1940’s the Gas Cooled Reactor (GCR) with a graphite moderated system and circulation of gas as a coolant was used.[1] Graphite was chosen as the moderator to slow down prompt neutrons and sustain a nuclear chain reaction. Around the 1950’s more advanced studies of HTGR were conducted to improve overall performance. The key difference that was adapted into the newer reactors was the use of helium as a gas coolant to allow for higher operating temperatures.[1] Dr. Rudolf Schulten, who is believed to have come up with the Pebble Bed Reactor theory, wanted to use graphite spheres as fuel for the helium gas reactors. The Peach Bottom Unit 1 designed in the 1960s was the first HTGR model developed with success. Shortly after the Thorium High Temperature Reactor, built in Germany, used fuel in the shape of
University of Calgary
Fundamentals of Nuclear Energy
Najee Elbaroudi
James Cody Webber
Taylor Donegan
Mar 28/16
Abstract
One of the most effective ways of converting the natural energy stored in the Earth into usable electricity for everyday life is through the use of nuclear chain reactions created in nuclear reactors. Countries such as China, South Africa and the US have implemented a special kind of reactor to capture the vast amount of energy given off by these nuclear reactions. The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) acts as a low cost, low maintenance unique set up designed to differentiate from other common nuclear reactors as well as holding the distinct feature of being meltdown proof due to an effect known as Doppler Broadening. The aim of this paper is to accurately label the pros and cons of the PBMR with respect to socio-economics, health, and safety. Furthermore, the mechanics behind a fairly recent invention is laid out to understand …show more content…
In the early 1940’s the Gas Cooled Reactor (GCR) with a graphite moderated system and circulation of gas as a coolant was used.[1] Graphite was chosen as the moderator to slow down prompt neutrons and sustain a nuclear chain reaction. Around the 1950’s more advanced studies of HTGR were conducted to improve overall performance. The key difference that was adapted into the newer reactors was the use of helium as a gas coolant to allow for higher operating temperatures.[1] Dr. Rudolf Schulten, who is believed to have come up with the Pebble Bed Reactor theory, wanted to use graphite spheres as fuel for the helium gas reactors. The Peach Bottom Unit 1 designed in the 1960s was the first HTGR model developed with success. Shortly after the Thorium High Temperature Reactor, built in Germany, used fuel in the shape of