Professor Bruno Merk, University of Liverpool
Host: Greg Cartland-Glover, Engineering and Environment, SCD
Monday 9th March 2020 at 14:00-15:00
iMAGINE a Nuclear System Operating on Spent Nuclear Fuel without Reprocessing
The UN development goal 7 (access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all) drives any kind of energy research. Globally, there is a strong and urgent demand for reliable technologies to fulfill declared low-carbon strategies, like the UK governments net-zero emissions law. Nuclear reactors are one of the most attractive candidates for reliable, 24/7 available, low-carbon electricity production. However, current reactors and their related fuel cycles suffer from unreasonably high cost, a lack of sustainability, and a significant waste problem due to the absence of recycling.
iMAGINE a Nuclear System Operating on Spent Nuclear Fuel without Reprocessing, is a potential game-changer technology to achieve a more sustainable (economically as well as ecologically) nuclear system (reactor with associated fuel cycle).
The seminar will give an overview on the strategic background for the demand of a disruptive development of a new nuclear energy system, the basis for an interdisciplinary development, and the expected advantages of the technology. Key development demands in the different disciplines will be highlighted. Based on the work of the academic advisory group for molten salt technologies, the research and development strategy regarding the required experimental facilities based upon numerical modelling needs and the development of essential skills will be given.
