Posted on 11/22/2025 4:15:02 PM PST by DUMBGRUNT
In the same time period that the United States built the overdue and over-budget Plant Vogtle, China built 13 reactors of similar scale, and has 33 more on the way
(Excerpt) Read more at oilprice.com ...
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I want my Mr. Fusion to ease my recycling efforts.
There’s plenty of unreclaimed fuel in the radioactive waste that’s been buried in Nevada and elsewhere. That’s what I’ve been heard anyway.
Fast Flux Test Facility
Because we prohibited reactor building for so long all the knowledge and talent aged out and we had to relearn how do it all again.
How much trust do you put into a Chinese-built nuclear reactor?
“Tofu dregs”
That’s problem with Trump bragging about “drill baby drill”. How about “build baby build” new refineries? Where are new nuclear reactors? We have the majority in this admin just like his first term and we should be doing bigger things
The SEFOR (Southwest Experimental Fast Oxide Reactor) was a significant nuclear research facility that operated from 1969 to 1972, focusing on the feasibility of breeder reactors and the use of plutonium as fuel.
History and Purpose
Construction and Operation: SEFOR was completed in 1969 under the direction of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. It was designed to test the feasibility of liquid-metal fast breeder reactors, which use fast neutrons for fission and can produce more fuel than they consume. The reactor operated until 1972, primarily for experimental purposes rather than electricity generation.
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Innovative Features: Unlike conventional reactors that use water as a coolant, SEFOR utilized liquid sodium, which is more efficient for heat transfer in fast breeder reactors. This design choice was crucial because water absorbs neutrons, making it unsuitable for breeding processes.
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Research Contributions
Fuel Testing: SEFOR was the first reactor to demonstrate the feasibility of using plutonium as a fuel source, marking a significant milestone in nuclear research. It was developed by a consortium of private energy companies, including General Electric, and was used to conduct various experiments related to fast breeder technology.
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Decommissioning
Closure and Decommissioning: After its closure in 1972, the reactor site was transferred to the University of Arkansas, which conducted research until 1986. The decommissioning process began in 2016 and was completed in 2019, involving the dismantlement of structures and the safe disposal of radioactive materials.
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Current Status: The decommissioning project was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and involved extensive cleanup efforts to ensure the site was safe and free of radioactive waste.
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SEFOR played a crucial role in advancing nuclear technology and research, particularly in the area of fast breeder reactors, and its legacy continues to influence the field of nuclear energy today.
“Well....Except for the FFTF at Hanford.
Fast Flux Test Facility”
NOT a thorium reactor. Nor was it a liquid fuel.
If Thorium don’t work, we can always try Thullium and Thallium ...
An article on Thorium, but they show an artist’s rendition of a fusion energy Tokamak.
“How much trust do you put into a Chinese-built nuclear reactor?”
Probably quite a bit; they probably require the engineers and builders to live nearby after completion. I would.
The First molten salt reactor experiment (MSRE) was conducted in the mid to late 60’s by ORNL. It was initially operated using U235 but was later switched to U233 (bred from U238).
Before Henry Ford, every automobile had to be hand built. Ford introduced an assembly line
and standard interchangeable parts. The same thing should be done for nuclear reactors.
Westinghouse and GE both have basic designs; nonetheless, each design has to be highly
customized for ever new installation. A universal approved standard design could hasten
the build time, and shave years off the process. Heck, contracts could be awarded to both
Westinghouse and GE, each building a part of the design.
President Trump could do what he does best, kick ass and take names.
Thorium is the way to go. You have to really mess things up on purpose to have a radioactive meltdown with a thorium reactor.
None of the spent fuel rods went to Nevada, thanks to Harry Reed. All of the spent fuel is at the plants.
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