eVince microreactor boasts 8+ years of nuclear power without using water - Interesting Engineering
eVince microreactor boasts 8+ years of nuclear power without using water
eVince microreactor boasts 8+ years of nuclear power without using waterThe revolutionary design can help take nuclear power to areas with water scarcity and heating needs.Ameya PalejaPublished: Dec 26, 2023 05:30 AM ESTinnovationThe small foot print microreactor from Westinghouse.Westinghouse Get a daily digest of the latest news in tech, science, and technology, delivered right to your mailbox. Subscribe now.By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Policies You may unsubscribe at any time.A new microreactor, eVinci, developed by Westinghouse, has an amazing feature. It can function without water, paving the way for nuclear power to reach far-off locations where water might be scarce. The first such microreactor will come up in Saskatchewan, Canada, by the end of this decade. Unlike nuclear power plants, which often take years to build and become operational, microreactors offer a rapid way to transport and set up a power plant using nuclear fuel. As the name suggests, a microreactor is small enough to fit a transport truck or aircraft and can be quickly moved to a place in need of electricity. See Also Related OpenAI CEO Sam Altman-backed nuke energy startup to go public Revolutionary Micro Nuclear Reactors Will Run on Waste Microsoft wants small modular nuclear reactors to power AI The concept is being tested as a response in the wake of a natural disaster or for military applications. However, most designs still require water either to convey heat from the core to steam turbines or to remove excess heat. eVinci's unique attribute is that it does not use water at all in its operation. Microreactor eVinciNuclear power is set for a comeback as the world looks for better ways to meet its energy demand without emitting tons of carbon dioxide into the air. Microreactors are the way to go forward, given the advantage of speed gained by setting them up. eVinci takes it a step further by making it water independent too. Westinghouse claims to have achieved this using "Heat Pipe technology," which decreases the number of components needed in active systems. Recently, the team manufactured its first ever 12-foot (3.6 m) long nuclear grade heat pipe, which eliminates the risks from high pressure or cooling leak incidents seen in other designs, the company said on its webpage. The company also uses a Passive Heat Removal System (PHRS) which deploys radiation and convection modes of heat transfer to remove heat from the reactor core without any need for operator intervention. Battery-like reactorIn addition to being transported easily, eVinci also installs easily with minimal disruption to existing facilities. The reactor can be teamed up with renewable sources of energy like wind and solar and become part of the grid. The heat removed from the reactor can be used either for district heating or for industrial applications, depending on the environment it is operating in. Illustration showing how eVinci can work in a heat-electricity gridWestinghouse Westinghouse uses TRISO fuel in the eVinci, which is more resistant to incidents of corrosion, oxidation, and high temperatures than traditional nuclear fuels. The microreactor does not require refueling and can work for over eight years, producing 5MWe of energy while reducing 55,000 tons of C02/per year. Once the fuel is exhausted, the microreactor can be hauled away for disposal and another one plugged in its place to continue operations on-site, much like a battery. The microreactor is equipped with shutdown rods that are used during transport for increased safety. The nuclear fuel can be stored in deep geological repositories (DGR) for long-term storage. Earlier in November this year, the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) approved a CAD 80 million (US$59 million) project to build the first such microreactor in Canada. The facility is expected to be operational by 2029. HomeInnovationAdd Interesting Engineering to your Google News feed.Add Interesting Engineering to your Google News feed.SHOW COMMENT (1) For You UK rocket company edges closer to first sustainable satellite launchIs the Apple Vision Pro the future of vision science?Twin study finds that a vegan diet improves cardiovascular healthJapan's probe 'Moon Sniper' enters the lunar orbit on ChristmasJWST turns two, marking yet another epic year of discoveriesAn astronomer captures the moment Starship's upper stage explodesThis Canadian company converts classic cars into electric vehiclesAfter lab-grown meat, is lab-grown oil the next big thing?USMC’s AH-1Z Viper is the most advanced gunshipCapturing CO2 using light — and turning it into valuable products Job Board
Related Knowledge Center: ENERGY BASICS: nuclear
Nuclear energy provides almost 20 percent of the U.S. electricity supply. Advocates have called for an expanded role for nuclear as an emissions-free fuel source. But the economics of building new reactors are daunting. In addition, lingering safety concerns are an institutionalized part of the calculation of nuclear regulation, and highly radioactive nuclear waste remains a can that public officials have been inclined to kick down the road. The Energy Information Administration projects a sharp decline in nuclear power generation over the next decade, as new nuclear plants — two are planned — are more than offset by anticipated retirements of several operating reactors.