We agree. Nuclear is the way to go. If you haven't already done so, go to georgiapower.com, choose the Company tab and Vogtle 3&4. There is a lot of interesting information and not too much propaganda. One correction - commercial power reactors go through at least a partial refueling every two years or so. Submarine reactors use more highly enriched fuel and require only one or two refueling cycles.
Also..about submarines. To refuel a submarine reactor, they have to open the hull and cut through decks. It's a big deal. They do this at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, near where I grew up. The new Seawolf class, I believe, never needs a refuel.
Everything on a submarine is complicated (and classified). On NRC licensing, by the way, I didn't include links like this one. Seabrook 1 (there were supposed to be 2 until PSCNH went bankrupt trying to get it built) submitted its renewal in 2010 and it was approved 9 years later! Good until 2030.
Yeah I'm familiar with most of the trials and tribulations associated with licensing nuclear power plants. Also with the red tape and hassle of trying to operate one.
Yes, pellet-based uranium reactors have several fuel rods changed every few years. This requires a relatively short shutdown--in fact it's a control rod initiated fission inhibit, not a cold reactor. At the 20 year mark, the NRC requires a full cold shutdown, removal of fuel, and recertification. I should have been more clear.
You might want to read up on the Plant Vogtle reactors. They go to cold shutdown for refueling. They are shut down by injecting boric acid into the reactor coolant. Restarting begins with a long process of diluting the boric acid.
That’s another problem actually. Every reactor design has its own refueling process. I was more familiar with the older reactors like Seabrook since I lived there. I didn’t read up on Vogtle or the AP1000 refuel process. It’s complex and needlessly customized.
We agree. Nuclear is the way to go. If you haven't already done so, go to georgiapower.com, choose the Company tab and Vogtle 3&4. There is a lot of interesting information and not too much propaganda. One correction - commercial power reactors go through at least a partial refueling every two years or so. Submarine reactors use more highly enriched fuel and require only one or two refueling cycles.
Also..about submarines. To refuel a submarine reactor, they have to open the hull and cut through decks. It's a big deal. They do this at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, near where I grew up. The new Seawolf class, I believe, never needs a refuel.
Thanks. I did not realize it was so complicated.
Everything on a submarine is complicated (and classified). On NRC licensing, by the way, I didn't include links like this one. Seabrook 1 (there were supposed to be 2 until PSCNH went bankrupt trying to get it built) submitted its renewal in 2010 and it was approved 9 years later! Good until 2030.
https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/renewal/applications/seabrook.html
Yeah I'm familiar with most of the trials and tribulations associated with licensing nuclear power plants. Also with the red tape and hassle of trying to operate one.
Yes, pellet-based uranium reactors have several fuel rods changed every few years. This requires a relatively short shutdown--in fact it's a control rod initiated fission inhibit, not a cold reactor. At the 20 year mark, the NRC requires a full cold shutdown, removal of fuel, and recertification. I should have been more clear.
You might want to read up on the Plant Vogtle reactors. They go to cold shutdown for refueling. They are shut down by injecting boric acid into the reactor coolant. Restarting begins with a long process of diluting the boric acid.
That’s another problem actually. Every reactor design has its own refueling process. I was more familiar with the older reactors like Seabrook since I lived there. I didn’t read up on Vogtle or the AP1000 refuel process. It’s complex and needlessly customized.