“Smaller than a truck but overwhelmed”: This new device feeds thousands of households every year – Environne2b

Since the arrival of the first nuclear power plant in the United States in 1957, the nuclear energy has experienced rise and falls. If it were first welcomed with enthusiasm, incidents such as the incidents of Chernobyl and Three Mile Iceland, they have stuck its image and slowed its development. However, interest in nuclear energy is facing a continuous increase in energy needs, mainly due to micro-reactors. These technological small miracles promise a revolution in our way of making electricity by offering a compact and safe solution to feed our infrastructure.

Microaactors: a compact and efficient solution

Micro-reactors, often called nuclear batteries, are characterized by their reduced size, ideal for integration into limited spaces. Unlike traditional reactors that can produce up to one gigawatt electricity per year, these small reactors generate between 1 and 20 megawatts. This capacity is sufficient to supply thousands of households and at the same time represents a lower financial risk in the event of a project failure. As Jacopo Buongiorno, MIT professor, simplicity and reduced micro-reactor size requires cheaper materials such as steel and concrete, so investments are less risky for businesses.

These compact reactors are therefore particularly suitable for various contexts, such as university campuses or isolated communities. Their ability to be installed on boats also creates a brilliant solution that provides energy in distant areas of the sea.

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Technical challenges and innovation of micro-reactors

Despite their potential, micro-reactors represent a unique challenge due to their small size. Their high surface and volume ratio leads to significant neutron leakageThis complicates the maintenance of the chain reaction. The solution consists of using multiple-enriched fuels such as Triso, which contains a higher percentage of uranium-235. This type of fuel is not only effective, but also practically safe from the risk of fusion due to its carbon and ceramic multilayer structure.

To improve reactors’ efficiency, scientists have also explored the use of new types of refrigerant, such as molten salt, liquid metals and helium gas that have higher boiling points than water. These innovations allow reactors to work at higher temperatures, increasing their energy efficiency.

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Increased micro-reactors

Security is a key aspect in the development of microapbabs. Unlike previous generations of nuclear reactors that required an external power supply for their safety systems, modern micro-reactors are designed to cool passively. In the event of an accident, heat disperses mechanisms without intervention, such as radiation lines or transmission, thus minimizing the risk of radioactive leakage.

This design offers promoters and surrounding communities more peace. As Jess Gehin emphasizes, the associated director of Idaho National Labs, the probability of radioactive leakage is extremely low, which strengthens confidence in this advanced technology.

A promising future for nuclear energy

Nuclear energy, and especially microasators, arouses a growing interest between large technology companies and university institutions. Their energy data centers and campuses are looking for permanent solutions that would suit their growing energy needs. Universities such as Penn State and Mit already assume the integration of Eviinci reactors to support their infrastructure.

Micro-reactors are also suitable for distant communities such as military bases or mining places where diesel offer is expensive and complex. In addition, their autonomy is the main asset, which, unlike traditional nuclear power plants, requires only a small maintenance team. With commercial deployment scheduled for 2030, micro-reactors can well transform our energy landscape.

Micro-reactors are the main technological advances in the energy field and offer a viable and safe alternative to traditional sources. However, their acceptance of a large degree still raises key questions. How to guarantee their harmonious integration into our existing energy systems while maintaining safety and environment?

The author relied on artificial intelligence to enrich this article.

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