Please read the following article, and answer the question below.
Fourth Generation Reactor
What are the advantages of this new kind of reactor?
Does this solve some of the issues of older/1st/2nd/3rd generation reactors?
Do you feel there are disadvantages?
You Must respond/comment no later than Monday 11:59 pm
Improvements and Advantages:
ReplyDelete-The new reactor is about 50% more efficient than the older generation ones.
-The fuel containers are created from combined materials which make them "impenetrable".
-In the case that they are still split open, or cooling systems fail, the plant can shut down entirely on its own immediately.
-The steam cycle of the old plants was replaced with a direct cycle, using helium cooling instead of water.
-Small spheres are used in this design rather than dome-shaped buildings.
-All moderators and fuel cells can also be made from spheres instead of rods.
Some issues in old generations of nuclear reactors are alleviated, such as the susceptibility to meltdowns, and the need for human intervention should one occur. However, as with any new technology, while the ideas and designs for this new system seem advantageous in numerous ways, there must always be extensive testing and use in order to account for the inevitable unforeseen issue.
The biggest advantage of this new design is that it is meltdown proof. This solves one of the biggest issues with the old designs. Nuclear meltdowns are one of the biggest reasons people oppose nuclear power and with this new design those will no longer occur. Another advantage is that they are more efficient than the previous versions. A third advantage of this design is that it is cheaper than the old versions. This definitely solves some of the issues of the old versions but it still does not solve the biggest issue: nuclear waste. Assuming all the claims they make are true than I see no disadvantages with this new design.
ReplyDeleteAdvantages of the reactors are that they are much safer than older generations which make them practically melt down proof. This is caused by an automatic reactor shutdown. As well, the new reactors are fifty percent more effective than the older reactors. The new reactors are also more cost effective. The new model solves the issue of nuclear meltdowns which are extremely detrimental to the environment. The increase in cost effectiveness, safety, and effectiveness in creating power are major improvements that solve the issues of the older generation of reactors.There are no disadvantages based off of the article. The article however is biased towards the new model. In reality, there are most likely disadvantages.
ReplyDeleteThe new South African PBMR nuclear reactor has helped solve a lot of the problems that we have previously worried about when it comes to nuclear energy. This new model is proclaimed to be “meltdown proof” from its new helium coolant and new spherical fuel encasing. People often picture images of Chernobyl with nuclear power, so having a meltdown proof reactor is a huge step in making nuclear energy safer. The reactor is also supposed to shut down automatically if there is a coolant failure (which helps take away potential human error with nuclear energy). Efficiency is also a big plus with this model: it creates more energy and is 50% more efficient than the last model.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I think the improvements we have made with nuclear energy are huge, I am still not a fan of this type of energy. This model does not account for the 2,000 - 2,300 metric tons of used fuel per year (Nuclear Energy Institute) and the amount of environmental damage this radioactive waste causes. This new reactor is however worlds cleaner than coal and fossil fuels. It allows for a safer and cleaner energy source.
There are clear safety advantages to the fourth generation reactors. Firstly, there is the claim that these reactors are “Melt proof’. If there is a coolant failure, the reactors have technology that prevents them from over heating while splitting open the fuel particles. They also posses “direct-cycle gas turbines” which completely negate the need for a steam cycle. The GT-MHR and the PBMR are also 50 times more efficient than there previous generations, which is a huge leap in technology. Although they are safer, the downsides would be the same as they are for all nuclear reactors, instability and safety. It’s promising to see nuclear energy taking steps in the right direction to create a safer alternative energy source.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest advantage of fourth generation reactors is that they are significantly safer than older models. One of the main reasons people oppose nuclear power is because they are afraid of potential nuclear meltdowns, but the fourth generation reactors are “meltdown proof”, making nuclear power a more desirable energy source to more people. The new models are also more cost effective, efficient, and more environmentally friendly than the older models. Although the features of fourth generation reactors are significantly better than the older models, they still are very expensive (even though they’re cheaper than the older models), take years to build, and still don’t eliminate nuclear waste entirely.
ReplyDeleteThe new 4th Generation reactors are worlds safer than their predesecors. with new helium coolant and spherical fuel encasing this new type of reacor could be the answer we have been waiting for. It is 50% more effecent that earllyier models and has been declared meltdown proof due to new systems desigeed to shut down the system after something goes wrong. This also eliminates the need for human intervention and human error all together. I am still not 100% sure that nuclear power is the answer but at least this one is a bit closer that the ones before it and with any luck will help to decrease the nuclear arms stockpiles of the world.
ReplyDeleteBased on this article, 4th generation reactors have improved in almost every aspect. They are more cost efficient, more effective and even more environmentally friendly than past models. The biggest advantage described here is that they are "Meltdown proof". This means that if there is a coolant failure they are able to prevent themselves from overheating. These safety and stability improvements really cut down on some of the big issues with the past generations. While these are massive improvements, there still is the fact that they are still expensive to produce, don't actually eliminate 100% of nuclear waste (though they do a quite good job), and are still not totally environmentally friendly. That said they are much more sustainable than many of the energy sources we rely on today, and these are major and very promising improvements.
ReplyDeleteThe new reactors biggest advancement is that they are meltdown proof. The have a built in coolant to prevent these meltdowns from happening making them much more safe than reactors before. They are also made with a certain material that makes them very hard to puncture and explode. Nuclear power is usually very controversial because of the environmental effects but the new reactors are 50 percent more efficient. The reactor has other safety benefits like shutting down on its own when it is not running properly. All these new advancements help solve issues from past generations. They use a lot less water and replaced the cycle with helium cooling. This article is obviously promoting the new generation reactor so they do not point out any flaws nor do I see any. I think that even if that is true they need to do a lot of testing because nuclear power is still not something to be messed around with.
ReplyDeleteAdvantages to the new reactors include that it's 50% more efficient than older generation reactors, and it's super safe. It uses fission to produce heat thousands of times greater than burning coal, oil, and natural gases. The fact that the new reactors have many safety features, solves the problem that older generation reactors have of melting down. The new reactor prevents it from getting hot enough to split open fuel particles, and if it gets too hot, shuts itself down. A disadvantage seems to be managing the fission of neutrons, in order to make sure that they produce a steady reaction at the desired rate.
ReplyDeleteThese 4th Generation reactors are more efficient and more safe. In Fact in the article they state they are called super safe. They are 50% more efficient than the last generation of reactors. The factories can shut themselves down if anything goes wrong and the material that they use is made up of more chemicals which is more impenetrable. And a while I looked at a documentary that showed the future of nuclear and they used a chemical that would become unreactive if it ever leaked or spilled. This to me is a huge improvement over the old reactors, because more efficient and safer means better for the environment. And better for the environment means the public can be way happier.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be that the greatest advantage of the new reactor is the fact that it's nearly impossible to malfunction in such case, the reactor will shut down it's own. On it's own and without any intervention for humans. In addition, the power source creates nearly 50% more power than older generations. This new design is moving directly in the direction of a sustainable future we so dearly need.
ReplyDeleteHowever, as with all new inventions, there is always more to be learned and improved upon. This situation reminds me a lot of the Titanic- seemingly indestructible but no scientist can predict every possibl variable that could end in disaster.
The many advantages of the new kind of reactors are, 50% more efficient than older kinds, containers made impenetrable from combining multiple materials, system immediately can shut down in dangerous cases, replacement of steam cycle with direct cycle, and new architectural designs to the building.
ReplyDeleteThese advances do solve most problems. Accept for the few structures that still need human monitoring. However, everything has possibilities of going wrong, even when we think there isn't going to be something. Therefore there could be a disadvantage somewhere that hasn't been unveiled yet. Time'll tell.
The advantages the fourth generation nuclear power plants provide are mostly reliability and efficiency. Developments of spherical fuel cells and almost impenetrable casings are some of the largest contributions to this technology developing, leading to a much more self sustaining, safe generator. They have the capability to shut themselves down in the case of an imminent catastrophe, lowering the amount of manpower required to maintain the system and are much smaller, which I think is the most important development. This potential for a smaller profile really solidifies nuclear power as a very efficient method of powering our future. Other than the always relevant risk of a nuclear meltdown, I can’t see any real downsides to these developments.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest advantages of the new fourth generation nuclear power plants would be the increased efficiency and the increased safety precautions. The new reactors are designed in a way to prevent meltdowns by simply not getting hot enough to trigger one. This is also aided by the development of ceramic coatings that protect the uranium on the inside. They are also much more efficient due to their direct-cycle gas turbines that make steam cycles unnecessary. This generation of generators solves a lot of old problems associated with nuclear power plants, however like any potentially dangerous thing, it should be tested extensively before put into practice.
ReplyDeleteThe stage 4 reactors are loaded with, “inherent and passive safety features,” and it is very improbable of a core reactor meltdown. The design prevents it from getting too hot and it shuts down automatically if there is any coolant failure. The stage 4 reactors are also supposed to work 50% more efficiently than their predecessors and are supposed to produce very minimal waste. The design stems away from the conventional nuclear designs in that it uses a helium based heating system rather than the original steam based design, it also encases the fuel with tiny ceramic spheres instead of original domed containment structures of old. These new reactors virtually take away the plague of all other stages of reactors which is failure, unlike the other ones, it seems the designers can definitively say that these won’t fail. Also these new reactors cost less than the other stages which solves a big issue with the public, the people have a few major concerns with reactors, two of which are being solved with these new reactors: the cost of building/maintaining them, and risk of core meltdown.” Time will tell if there any real disadvantages with these new reactors, but these could be a major step in the future of clean energy in the world.
ReplyDeleteThe new PBMR generator has the full advantage of being essentially fail-proof. The uncertainty in the nuclear generators' safety in the past bred suspicion and in turn caused the American people to reject the idea almost entirely. The old design, though reliable, left minor room for failure in the design cooling the reactor to control the fission of Uranium and Plutonium. However, the new generator, if the reactor vessel is compromised and a LOCA occurs, it is capable of shutting itself down without any manual assistance from humans.
ReplyDeleteThe only slight disadvantage is that this new generator produces less than half of the electricity that the old generators do, however I feel that the tradeoff is pretty fair. This new generation can insure absolute safety, that which kept our country from persuing nuclear energy.
The new types of reactor are not only almost 50% more efficient than their predecessors, but they are also much safer. They have automated monitoring systems that will shut off the plant if it overheats without any human intervention needed. The fuel for the PBMR is no longer in the form of rods of uranium. These safer reactors now use uranium oxide pebbles, coated with protective barriers of silicon carbide and ceramics which contain the dangerous fuel. Both new reactors use ceramic spheres to contain their fuel, as well as use helium as a coolant with direct-cycle gas instead of the traditional steam.
ReplyDeleteThe new reactors are more efficient and cost effective than the previous generations, as well as safer. This allows for nuclear reactors to eventually become a more viable option for energy. The increased safety features may help reassure the public and the cost effectiveness makes it a serious competitor against coal. However, these are new models and have yet to be tested over long periods of time. There is also still no solution to how the old fuel rods and pebbles will be disposed of as there are no long-term storage facilities in the United States.