Small Modular Reactors - NERI proposal abstract for STAR & ENHS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH INITIATIVE

ABSTRACT

PI: Ehud Greenspan Proposal No.: 99-0154

Institution: University of California

Collaborators: Westinghouse, Argonne National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Title: STAR: The Secure Transportable Autonomous Reactor System, Encapsulated Fission Heat-Source

The objective of this proposal is to assess the feasibility of a novel reactor concept that was recently invented by Ehud Greenspan and David C. Wade. The novel approach may accelerate the development of nuclear reactors for developing countries and may contribute to the re-vitalization of the nuclear energy option in the industrial countries.

There will be two 18 month parts to this project. In part 1 we will examine a number of issues which are critical to the feasibility of the ENHS concept. If this concept is found feasible, we will examine, in Part 2, the feasibility of a number of alternative embodiments of the ENHS. These embodiments will vary from small, autonomous power source using thermoelectric generator integrated with the reactor vessel for remote locations, to central power plants consisting of multiple ENHS modules.

[Source: DOE Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (NERI) Project Abstract, "STAR: The Secure Transportable Autonomous Reactor System, Encapsulated Fission Heat-Source", November 22, 1999]