Chalmers tekniska högskola AB

05/16/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/15/2024 23:19

Major investment in next generation nuclear power

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The images show a nuclear fuel system from start to finish, in a lab environment. The start is the green liquid to the left, which is a concentrated solution of the substance that will be used to make the fuel, the picture in the middle shows how balls of uranium fall into a silicone-oil column, to the far right is the final product, the nuclear fuel in pellet form. In the Gen IV system, this process becomes a circular system and large parts of the nuclear fuel on the right restart as concentrated liquid on the left. Photo: Marcus Hedberg

Gen IV is the name of a nuclear power system with the potential to provide us with large amounts of nuclear energy without leaving behind long-lived waste and minimize our need for new uranium. The Swedish Energy Agency has now granted the largest sum to date, SEK 50 million, for the development of an entire Gen IV nuclear power system. The project, which is led by researchers at Chalmers, will also ensure the regrowth of expertise in the nuclear technology science.

"The fact that we in Sweden now dare to invest in the nuclear technology of the future is very gratifying," says Christian Ekberg", coordinator of the project, Professor of Nuclear Chemistry and Industrial Materials Recycling at Chalmers University of Technology

One of the major advantages with Gen VI technology is the possibility to reuse spent nuclear fuel. In today's nuclear power, only a small part of the fuel is used, and large amounts of radioactive waste must be disposed.
"When fully developed, a system like this could have the potential to produce nuclear power to the same extent as we did in Sweden when we had twelve reactors running, without mining any more uranium a few thousand years, says Christian Ekberg

Because of this, Gen IV has been on the agenda for many years and investments have been made to develop parts of the system. Unlike previous initiatives, this project will include an entire Gen IV nuclear power system.

Will rejuvenate competence and leadership

The project will also address the need for education and competence supply in the nuclear and radiation area. This issue extends widely in society, for example, knowledge in radiology is important for healthcare.

"Unfortunately, education in general radiation science is scarce in Sweden. KTH (Royal Institute of Technology) and Uppsala University have higher education programmes that are mainly focused on nuclear reactors. A broader approach is needed and this project fits in well with the need to take a more holistic approach to the competence issue", says Christian Ekberg.

By mainly having younger researchers leading the project's various work packages and using a large part of the budget for education of younger researchers and doctoral students, the project will rejuvenate the competence in Sweden. A system for mentorship, both scientific and in leadership, has been launched as part of the project.

More about MUST (Multidisciplinary Commitments for Sweden's Gen-IV Technology and Expertise)

The project includes researchers from Chalmers University of Technology, the Royal Institute of Technology, Uppsala University and Lund University. It will strengthen the already existing research centers in nuclear science in Sweden - ANITA and SOLSTICE - with a clear focus on sustainable electricity production and resource use in the Gen IV system. Technologies for fuel recovery and new manufacturing, radiation protection strategies and monitoring of reactors are being developed. The results will provide valuable input for a case study for Gen IV by the company Kärnfull Next AB.

For further information

Christian Ekberg
  • Full Professor, Energy and Materials, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
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Updated 16 May 2024, 07:05Published 16 May 2024, 07:00
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