Since not even prototypes are running (in recent history) of most designs/technologies and NRC regulatory reform is ongoing, not really.
Lead cooled fast reactors and molten salt reactors with liquid fuel are very promising in theory. If they can be commercialized in reasonable time, I expect much of them.
Since not even prototypes are running (in recent history) of most designs/technologies and NRC regulatory reform is ongoing, not really.
Lead cooled fast reactors and molten salt reactors with liquid fuel are very promising in theory. If they can be commercialized in reasonable time, I expect much of them.
The problem with lead-cooled (or anything but water cooled really but especially with hot metal) is it sounds like hell if it ever springs a leak. Which you know it will.
In pool type reactors, lead will be only used in the primary loop/pool. A leak of the primary loop is a problem in an LWR as much as in a LFR. And in an LWR, your coolant also is under high pressure and evaporates.
I don't believe that there is a major difference to be honest.
Maintenance is more difficult though because you can't cool the lead down or see through it easily.
Since not even prototypes are running (in recent history) of most designs/technologies and NRC regulatory reform is ongoing, not really.
Lead cooled fast reactors and molten salt reactors with liquid fuel are very promising in theory. If they can be commercialized in reasonable time, I expect much of them.
The problem with lead-cooled (or anything but water cooled really but especially with hot metal) is it sounds like hell if it ever springs a leak. Which you know it will.
In pool type reactors, lead will be only used in the primary loop/pool. A leak of the primary loop is a problem in an LWR as much as in a LFR. And in an LWR, your coolant also is under high pressure and evaporates.
I don't believe that there is a major difference to be honest.
Maintenance is more difficult though because you can't cool the lead down or see through it easily.