Japanese firms to develop small nuclear reactors

[JJ_BPK]

This is something to watch. Most RV's of any size have gen sets that run from 10 KW to as big as 20 KW. Many of us have a gen set for use at home or on the boat.

If this technology becomes available and economical,, I'll be off the grid in a NY minute...

Japanese firms to develop small nuclear reactors

Japan's major nuclear reactor manufacturers have begun developing small nuclear power systems for both developed and emerging countries, a report said on Saturday.

Toshiba Corp. is developing an ultra-compact reactor with an output of about 10,000 kilowatts and has started procedures for approval in the United States, the Nikkei business daily said.

The new reactor, the Toshiba 4S, is designed to minimise the need for monitoring and maintenance, with an automatic shutdown function to ensure safety in case of problems, the newspaper said.

Toshiba plans to market the reactor first in the United States, while foreseeing demand from emerging countries in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe as well as in Africa, it said.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. has separately completed the concept design for a pressurised-water reactor with a power output of around 350,000 kilowatts, the Nikkei said.

Hitachi Ltd. also aims to develop a boiling-water reactor with a capacity of 400,000-600,000 kilowatts for use in Southeast Asia and other countries, it said.

Demand for nuclear power stations has been growing around the world. A total of 151 were under construction or slated for construction in 27 countries as of the end of 2008, it said.

[LongWire]

So let me get this straight.....

The Japanese are going to sell Hiroshima and Nagasaki back to us, but in smaller form one piece at a time??? History does have a sense of Irony................

Wow, hate to see what people with an electrical degree and an evil heart will do with this sucker...........

[JJ_BPK]

I have an idea that the units will be sealed and tamper proof.

Just a WAG,, but they could be as small as a steamer trunk with less than 2 - 3 oz on material??

Besides,, as I understand the process,, after you get your hands on the material, you need bunches to reduce it to weapons grade.

Isn't that all the shiite about Iran having 10,000 centrifuge boxes(??) that were needed to create enough for one PUFF??

[LongWire]

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

I have an idea that the units will be sealed and tamper proof.

Just a WAG,, but they could be as small as a steamer trunk with less than 2 - 3 oz on material??

Besides,, as I understand the process,, after you get your hands on the material, you need bunches to reduce it to weapons grade.

Isn't that all the shiite about Iran having 10,000 centrifuge boxes(??) that were needed to create enough for one PUFF??

Call me a skeptic, but I'm always inclined to question how Tamper Proof anything truly is. I was in Ranger Bn back in the day so I know that you truly can break the "unbreakable."

Given enough time and Knuckleheads someone will do wrong where none was intended. At any rate you need a very small amount of any material to do damage to our resources. For this you don't need any bangs or booms at all, and would take some time to detect and track down........UW at its worst.

[Ret10Echo]

I read a story about this about a year (+) ago. It had some general info and diagrams that indicated the reactor could be used for facility or large building power supply. I think the dimensions are quoted by some as being "about the size of a garden shed". I have also seen some articles stating it would be about the size of a "Safe"....whatever size that is.

Los Alamos has sold the technology to a company called Hyperion Power Generation. It appears that they are presenting a solution that will provide power for about 5 years...then require removal (the system is buried about 6' deep) and refurbishing at the factory. No water cooling so I am thinking that the amount of material is quite small.

I can see the NRC and LEs having heart attacks over the thought of this.

The overall intent I believe is to work toward a "Smart(er)" or Micro-grid solution to the antiquated, centralized electrical power distribution.

Think about this idea though...depending upon the costs associated, a town or city could BUY their own power generation. Of course the figures are in the $20 - $30 Million range...Probably a niche market if the manufacturers can ever get beyond the regulatory, security and Eco-Nazis.

Meanwhile I keep shelling out bucks to "Big Energy".....

[7624U]

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

I have an idea that the units will be sealed and tamper proof.

Just a WAG,, but they could be as small as a steamer trunk with less than 2 - 3 oz on material??

Besides,, as I understand the process,, after you get your hands on the material, you need bunches to reduce it to weapons grade.

Isn't that all the shiite about Iran having 10,000 centrifuge boxes(??) that were needed to create enough for one PUFF??

You need about 110 pounds of 80% uranium-235 for it to go critical and have a chance to go boom. It already is weapons grade if its being used as fuel you just need larger amounts, The lower the percentage in grade the more you will need. All you have to do is get two seperate masses about equal weight and then smash them together with explosives. But that is very inefficent only about 6-8% will be used in the fission reaction. That is why the first bombs where so big.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Ret10Echo

I read a story about this about a year (+) ago. It had some general info and diagrams that indicated the reactor could be used for facility or large building power supply. I think the dimensions are quoted by some as being "about the size of a garden shed". I have also seen some articles stating it would be about the size of a "Safe"....whatever size that is.

Los Alamos has sold the technology to a company called Hyperion Power Generation. It appears that they are presenting a solution that will provide power for about 5 years...then require removal (the system is buried about 6' deep) and refurbishing at the factory. No water cooling so I am thinking that the amount of material is quite small.

I can see the NRC and LEs having heart attacks over the thought of this.

The overall intent I believe is to work toward a "Smart(er)" or Micro-grid solution to the antiquated, centralized electrical power distribution.

Think about this idea though...depending upon the costs associated, a town or city could BUY their own power generation. Of course the figures are in the $20 - $30 Million range...Probably a niche market if the manufacturers can ever get beyond the regulatory, security and Eco-Nazis.

Meanwhile I keep shelling out bucks to "Big Energy".....

And when they IPO I'll be buying....... IMO it's a great idea and long over due.

http://www.hyperionpowergeneration.com/

[7624U]

For a small town of 20,000 people thats only a cost of $250 per year per home. Thats cheap im sure it will get cheaper also as time goes on.

[dr. mabuse]

Could solve a lot of grid infrastructure problems and it's cheap. Will be interesting to see who starts installing them in 2013.

Off the grid indeed.

[frostfire]

Originally Posted by Ret10Echo

Los Alamos has sold the technology to a company called Hyperion Power Generation. It appears that they are presenting a solution that will provide power for about 5 years...then require removal (the system is buried about 6' deep) and refurbishing at the factory. No water cooling so I am thinking that the amount of material is quite small.

thank you for posting this. I've been out of the loop for so long, I've never read or heard about it. I'm still crossing my finger for its first implementation in 2013, but if it delivers as promised (or even more), then this is the holy grail of every chemical engineer's wet dream! I'm also keeping in mind what those whose market is threatened by this technology might be scheming.

TS is right, I'll also look into investment opportunity when it becomes available.

Now, if this can lead to our saying bye-bye to the Middle East once and for all