Relative Comparisons: Why the LFTR is Better
Cost, Efficiency, Safety, and Reliability Comparisons
There are six main variations of Generation IV Nuclear Reactors, the Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR), Super Critical Water Cooled Reactor (SCWR), and Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) are the three thermal reactors, and the Gas Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR), Sodium Cooled Fast Reactor (SFR), and Lead Cooled Fast Reactor (LFR) are the fast reactors. Almost all of the reactors in use today are thermal and thus the focus will be on the VHTR, SCWR, and MSR variants. Nuclear reactors work by splitting uranium atoms in a process called fission to create energy and Generation IV reactors do this in efficient and safe ways. But, the MSR, specifically the Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor (LFTR), has many advantages.
SCWR |
VHTR |
The SCWR works by utilizing high pressure and water at super critical atomic conditions to induce the fission of uranium, but although this method is highly effective and has great heat transfer processes to control temperatures, the reactor is extremely expensive at around 3.5 billion US dollars. To add, even with a smaller reactor size, the SCWR has a relatively high risk of accidents (compared to normal reactors) from the intense pressure and reaction with water.
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The VHTR reactor is a relatively new concept but cost estimates put it slightly above standard thermal reactor costs, making it around 2.5 billion US Dollars. They work with integrated graphite and a helium cooling system that make even the high temperatures of close to 1000 Degrees Celsius safer. VHTR's require multiple side modules to run adding onto the cost, but it allows the reactor to be repurposed such as for actinide (unnatural, unstable, radioactive elements) burning. The VHTR is still in the design process, but when it is completed it is thought to have high efficiency.
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LFTR
The ultimate reactor when it comes to safety, reliability, cost, and efficiency is the Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor. It is a variant of the Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) and is one of the cheapest reactors around, costing only one billion US dollars. The LFTR reactor works by combining thorium and uranium dissolved in liquid fluoride, lithium, and beryllium and starting a cycle that replenishes these elements with chemical combinations. Thorium is highly abundant in relativity to uranium. This way, the LFTR uses/recycles 99% of its fuel while other reactors can drop to as low as 2%. To add, there is no pressure systems or water involved, thus a nuclear meltdown is virtually impossible. Safety is also ensured as the reactor will only reach temperatures of 600 Degrees Celsius - 950 Degrees Celsius. The molten uranium in the reactor uses no water and so there is no possibility of a dangerous chemical reaction between water and the material. Extra safety measures will drain the fuel if everything goes wrong, and even if there is a leak the fluoride in the uranium will cause it to turn solid and not discharge into the environment. Finally, the LFTR generates almost no nuclear waste, yet what is produced is recycled back into the system after a couple of years.
Impact on Climate Change
Ultimately, the LFTR is able to revolutionize nuclear energy production given its inherent safety, relatively cheap cost, lack of greenhouse gas emission, and reliability given its abundant fuel sources. With its conservation of water and no detrimental leakage to the environment, the LFTR will produce energy while minimizing greenhouse gases and the exploitation of water. The LFTR is the prime choice for the alternative energy solution.