Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Luay M. Alawneh, Rodolfo Vaghetto, Yassin Hassan, Harold G Sonny White
Summary: This paper presents a conceptual design and analysis results for a heat pipe cooled yttrium hydride moderated micro reactor, which is suitable for both terrestrial and space applications with long operating time and high thermal power.
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
K. Kane, X. Hu, P. Stack, P. Mouche, B. Brigham, E. Sooby, B. Pint
Summary: Yttrium hydride (YHx) is an attractive moderator material for thermal neutron spectrum fission reactors due to its ability to achieve a small reactor core volume. In oxidation studies, YHx showed significantly lower oxidation rates compared to metallic yttrium (Y), with the lower rate directly correlated with increased hydride content.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Bjoern Steigerwald, Jens Weibezahn, Martin Slowik, Christian von Hirschhausen
Summary: In this paper, the potential construction costs of SMR projects are estimated using different production theory approaches and the Monte Carlo method. The results show that SMR concepts, despite their cost advantages, are unable to compete economically with existing renewable technologies.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
D. Michaelson, J. Jiang
Summary: Integration of renewable energy sources in microgrids can enhance system resilience and reduce carbon emissions, but the intermittent nature of renewables requires energy storage to compensate for supply-demand imbalances. Traditional energy storage can be costly, thus introducing new technologies like small modular reactors as alternatives to traditional power sources is feasible.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
K. Venkata Krishna, Vivek Pandey, M. P. Maiya
Summary: Metal hydride reactors driven by heat are essential for successful development of metal hydride devices such as H2 storage systems. Nature-inspired leaf-vein type fins have shown good heat transfer capabilities. Optimized designs with inclined fins lead to faster storage capacity attainment, reducing absorption time significantly compared to traditional designs. Operating parameters such as hydrogen supply pressure, inlet temperature, and velocity of the heat transfer fluid greatly influence the performance of the optimized design.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Zhihui Wang, Fangchen Liu, Zhancheng Guo, Jiandong Zhang, Lijun Wang, Guoqing Yan
Summary: This paper reviews the moderator materials in space nuclear reactors, including moderation principles, existing problems, research status, and possible solutions. The assumption of using high entropy alloy hydride as a moderator material is proposed, while discussing the advantages and disadvantages of several metal elements suitable for nuclear reactors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vivek Pandey, K. Venkata Krishna, M. P. Maiya
Summary: This article investigates and optimizes the absorption and desorption performance of a multi-tubular hydride reactor for large-scale hydrogen storage systems. By allocating different numbers of tubes, 90% absorption is achieved with an overall reactor weight of 78.46, 88, and 88.2 kg. The introduction of longitudinal fins enhances the reactor performance, achieving 90% absorption in 76 s with six full fins.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
H. Chang, Y. B. Tao, W. Y. Wang
Summary: Metal hydride (MH) is an efficient method for hydrogen storage. The use of spiral fins in MH reactors improves hydrogen storage efficiency by enhancing heat transfer characteristics. The performance of MH reactors with different fin structures was discussed, and it was found that reactors with spiral fins outperformed those with longitudinal fins. Optimizing the fin parameters can further enhance the reactor's performance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Max Vanatta, Deep Patel, Todd Allen, Daniel Cooper, Michael T. Craig
Summary: Nuclear small modular reactors (SMRs) have the potential to meet the decarbonization challenge of providing high-temperature industrial heat, but there is a lack of technoeconomic analyses on their potential. Through our study, we quantify the technoeconomic potential of five SMR types for displacing natural gas and providing process heat for industrial facilities in five US states. Our findings show that no SMRs are economically viable for providing process heat alone at current gas prices, but they become viable when the avoided gas costs are $8 and $16/MMBtu. By participating in wholesale power markets, SMRs could economically serve a portion of industrial demand and help reduce CO2 emissions.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Chinonyelum Udemu, Carolina Font-Palma
Summary: Sorption-enhanced steam reforming (SE-SR) offers lower capital costs and compact makeup, but its technology readiness level (TRL) is currently low. Increasing activities in reactor modelling and validation at pilot scale can expedite large-scale deployment of SE-SR technology. The Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model is commonly used for modelling SE-SR, but it oversimplifies the particle system and may have large errors for CO2 gas output. Limitations and future perspectives for reactor designs and various modelling approaches are discussed.
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
J. M. Egieya, M. A. Amidu, M. Hachaichi
Summary: Global warming discourse has focused on limiting temperature increases to under 2 degrees C above pre-industrial levels by using low-carbon energy sources such as nuclear power, solar power, and wind energy. The use of small modular reactors (SMRs) has gained attention as a solution to the high capital costs associated with conventional nuclear power plants (NPPs). This study models and assesses the workforce requirements and salaries for operating workers of a 300 MWe integral Pressurized Water Reactor (iPWR) SMR, providing insights for human resource budgeting.
PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Stefano Terlizzi, Vincent Laboure
Summary: This paper aims to understand the reactivity feedback associated with hydrogen redistribution in Yttrium hydride (YHx) used in nuclear microreactors. By using the DireWolf multiphysics software, the coupled equations for radiation transport, heat transfer, heat pipe two-phase flow, and hydrogen redistribution were solved for the SiMBA problem, a full-core microreactor numerical benchmark. The study provides insights into the sign, magnitude, and physical causes of hydrogen redistribution neutronic feedback.
ANNALS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Oussama El Kheiri, Ouadie Kabach, Abdelouahed Chetaine
Summary: Nuclear fuel is crucial for the safety and viability of nuclear reactors. Recent advancements in fuel quality and assembly design have improved failure rates, power density, and performance. Dual-cooled annular fuel and thorium-based duplex fuel are emerging trends in nuclear fuel development. This study compares the neutronic properties of annular duplex fuel and annular UO2 fuel, and finds that the duplex fuels have higher discharge burnup and lower power peaking factors.
PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Andrey V. Sadakov, Vladimir A. Vlasenko, Ivan A. Troyan, Oleg A. Sobolevskiy, Dmitrii V. Semenok, Di Zhou, Vladimir M. Pudalov
Summary: A comprehensive study was conducted on vortex phases and dynamics in the high-temperature superconductor YH(6) under a pressure of 200 GPa. The thermal activation energy and its dependence on magnetic field were analyzed using the thermally activated flux flow (TAFF) theory. The vortex phase transition from vortex glass to vortex liquid was studied, and a vortex phase diagram was constructed for superhydrides for the first time. The high flux flow barriers and crossover fields make YH6 an outstanding superconductor compared to other materials.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Nuclear Science & Technology
Raffaella Testoni, Andrea Bersano, Stefano Segantin
Summary: Nuclear energy is being reconsidered worldwide as a low-carbon and dispatchable energy source. Microreactors, with their small size, simple plant layout, and fast on-site installation, are being designed as a potential alternative to large nuclear plants. However, limited fuel availability, security risks, and licensing processes remain challenges for the widespread adoption of microreactors in the energy market.
PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Bruno Merk, Mark Bankhead, Dzianis Litskevich, Robert Gregg, Aiden Peakman, Craig Shearer
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Aiden Peakman, Hywel Owen, Tim Abram
PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY
(2019)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Aiden Peakman, Bruno Merk
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Aiden Peakman, Christopher Grove, Kerr Fitzgerald, Robert Gregg
PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY
(2019)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Aiden Peakman, Bruno Merk, Kevin Hesketh
Article
Energy & Fuels
Anna Detkina, Aiden Peakman, Dzianis Litskevich, Jenq-Horng Liang, Bruno Merk
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Aiden Peakman, Robert Gregg
PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY
(2020)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Aiden Peakman, Robert Gregg
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Aiden Peakman, Hywel Owen, Tim Abram
Summary: A systematic study using MONK-9A on thermal Th-232/U-233-based benchmark experiments showed little benefit in utilizing JEFF-3.1 instead of JEF-2.2 when the predominant nuclides are Th-232, U-235 and U-238. However, for systems containing large fractions of U-233, it is recommended to use JEFF-3.1.
ANNALS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anna Detkina, Dzianis Litskevitch, Aiden Peakman, Bruno Merk
Summary: This study conducted criticality analysis on the GBC-68 storage cask loaded with BWR spent fuel, evaluating the impacts of different reloading scenarios, target burnups, and fuel assembly types on cask reactivity. The use of burnup credit significantly reduced cask criticality compared to conventional fresh fuel approach, with a potential financial benefit estimated at USD 3.3 million per reactor cycle. However, the criticality reduction may be less effective for low burnt fuel assemblies from non-optimal reloading patterns.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mohamed Hadri, Vincenzo Trovato, Agnes Bialecki, Bruno Merk, Aiden Peakman
Summary: This study examines the need for flexibility in the electricity system of Great Britain with the integration of renewable energy sources, and explores the potential system-level value of unlocking flexibility from nuclear electricity production. By using enhanced mixed integer linear programming to simulate different generation-demand scenarios, the model evaluates the benefits of nuclear power plants contributing to system inertial response and reducing CO2 emissions in low-carbon scenarios for 2050.
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Aiden Peakman, Hywel Owen, Tim Abram
Summary: Studies have shown that the fuel behavior of (Th,U)O-2 in a low power density core is significantly impaired compared to using UO2 fuel, particularly due to the introduction of uranium into thorium oxide leading to decreased thermal conductivity and worse creep behavior. These conclusions are supported by published experimental evidence.
PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Nuclear Science & Technology
Aiden Peakman, Robert Gregg, Tom Bennett, Max Casamor, Victor Martinez-Quiroga, Jordi Freixa, Raimon Pericas, Glyn Rossiter
Summary: This article discusses the increasing need for load following in pressurised water reactors due to the deployment of renewable energy sources and greater electrification. A coupled, whole-core analysis framework and a new generic PWR model were developed to accurately capture fuel behavior during load following maneuvers.
ANNALS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Robert Mossop, Bruno Merk, Maulik Patel, Tetsushi Hino, Aiden Peakman
Summary: Hitachi is developing a conceptual reactor called the resource-renewable boiling water reactor (RBWR), which aims to minimize costs and waste production. The design includes separated plutonium and minor actinide fuel, but the axial heterogeneity poses calculation difficulties. This study uses the reactivity-equivalent physical transformation (RPT) method to calculate fuel with double heterogeneity and applies it to a BWR-type fuel pin.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anna Detkina, Dzianis Litskevitch, Aiden Peakman, Bruno Merk
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2020)