Fusion and Fast Breeder Reactors

In a two year study, a team of researchers has evolved a comparison of fast fission breeders and D-T fusion reactors, as both nuclear reactors allow, at least in principle, for an essentially unlimited supply of large amounts of energy. In this report, resources for the two reactor types are briefly reviewed, and their present status is discussed in terms of scientific, engineering, and commercial feasibility. Reference reactor systems are the German/Belgian/Dutch fast breeder prototype SNR 300, a liquid-metal fast breeder reactor, and the deuterium-tritium TOKAMAK fusion reactor concept. Radioactive inventories of reactor economies are discussed in length, with emphasis on the biological hazard potential index for comparing relative hazards on pathways (inhalation, ingestion) and injuries to the human body. The safety problem involved in normal operating losses and exposure centers around releases of tritium in fusion, and around alpha-emitters, iodine-129, and krypton in fission. Design basis accidents as well as acts of war, sabotage, and hypothetical events are dealt with under non-routine releases. Safeguards are analyzed in the non-proliferation context. Materials--a problem more severe for fusion than for fission--and the impact of radiation damage are an important chapter. Reactor strategies for commercialization are evaluated in terms of timing of related programs and their funding. Great care has been taken to appropriately introduce the problem of nuclear energy and to put the conclusions in the proper perspective

Code development incorporating environmental, safety and economic aspects of fusion reactors; Annual progress report

This document is a proposal to continue the authors work on the Environmental, Safety and Economic (ESE) aspects of fusion reactors under DOE contract DE-FR03-89ER52514. The grant objectives continue those from the previous grant: (1) completion of first-generation Environmental, Safety and Economic (ESE) computer modules suitable as integral components of tokamak systems codes. (2) continuation of work on special topics, in support of the above and in response to OFE requests. The proposal also highlights progress on the contract in the twelve months since April, 1992. This has included work with the ARIES and ITER design teams, work on tritium management, studies on materials activation, and calculation of radioactive inventories in fusion reactors

Sound climate, energy, and transport policy for a carbon constrained world

This article briefly surveys three emerging global challenges related to climate change, electricity and energy, and transportation before summarizing the contributions from this special issue of Policy & Society. Articles in the issue attempt to inform policymakers, scholars, and even members of the public to make better decisions about energy, electricity, modes of transport, and greenhouse gas emissions. In doing so, they cover a wide range of technologies, policies, scales, and case studies. Such a discussion is urgently needed given the interconnected nature of the world's impending climate, energy, and transport needs