Updated Generation IV Reactors Integrated Materials Technology Program Plan, Revision 2

Technical Report · Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1027383· OSTI ID:1027383

Corwin, William R ^[1]; Burchell, Timothy D ^[1]; Halsey, William ^[2]; Hayner, George ^[3]; Katoh, Yutai ^[1]; Klett, James William ^[1]; McGreevy, Timothy E ^[1]; Nanstad, Randy K ^[1]; Ren, Weiju ^[1]; Snead, Lance Lewis ^[1]; Stoller, Roger E ^[1]; Wilson, Dane F ^[1]

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1. ORNL
2. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
3. Idaho National Laboratory (INL)

The Department of Energy's (DOE's) Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems Program will address the research and development (R&D) necessary to support next-generation nuclear energy systems. Such R&D will be guided by the technology roadmap developed for the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) over two years with the participation of over 100 experts from the GIF countries. The roadmap evaluated over 100 future systems proposed by researchers around the world. The scope of the R&D described in the roadmap covers the six most promising Generation IV systems. The effort ended in December 2002 with the issue of the final Generation IV Technology Roadmap [1.1]. The six most promising systems identified for next generation nuclear energy are described within the roadmap. Two employ a thermal neutron spectrum with coolants and temperatures that enable hydrogen or electricity production with high efficiency (the Supercritical Water Reactor - SCWR and the Very High Temperature Reactor - VHTR). Three employ a fast neutron spectrum to enable more effective management of actinides through recycling of most components in the discharged fuel (the Gas-cooled Fast Reactor - GFR, the Lead-cooled Fast Reactor - LFR, and the Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor - SFR). The Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) employs a circulating liquid fuel mixture that offers considerable flexibility for recycling actinides, and may provide an alternative to accelerator-driven systems. A few major technologies have been recognized by DOE as necessary to enable the deployment of the next generation of advanced nuclear reactors, including the development and qualification of the structural materials needed to ensure their safe and reliable operation. Accordingly, DOE has identified materials as one of the focus areas for Gen IV technology development.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1027383
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-2005/556; AF3625200; NEAF265; TRN: US1105783
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
ACTINIDES
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRICITY
FAST NEUTRONS
FAST REACTORS
FLEXIBILITY
GAS COOLED REACTORS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
LEAD
LIQUID FUELS
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
MOLTEN SALT REACTORS
NEUTRON SPECTRA
NUCLEAR ENERGY
PLANNING
POWER GENERATION
REACTORS
REACTOR MATERIALS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RECYCLING
SODIUM COOLED REACTORS
SUPERCRITICAL STATE
THERMAL NEUTRONS
VHTR REACTOR
WATER COOLED REACTORS