PBMR Research Advances

The technology behind the new generation of Pebble Bed Modular Reactors(PBMR) is really enticing. A high efficiency design that is also safe because of the self limiting nature of the reactor core -- No one wants to claim it's meltdown proof, but it appears to be as close to fool proof as it gets. It is also not usable for proliferation of nuclear weapons. Read the link above for details if you want more information.

Recently Westinghouse signed on as a partner when DOE selected Westinghouse/PBMR Team for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) engineering contract. It is beginning to look like DoE has embarked on the first stage of a program that could result in the construction of a South African-designed pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR) in the US.

The latest to sign on to help get this technology into production is Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University (SU) and Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) entered into an agreement on Tuesday that will enable the University to conduct research and development on behalf of PBMR in areas that will enhance the performance and safety of the world-class reactor.

The Pebble Bed Modular Reactor is an innovative technology that is characterized by inherent safe design features. It operates at a high temperature, enabling high efficiency energy conversion for diverse applications. It falls in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) category of small and medium reactors and, if configured into an electricity-generating plant, will be about one sixth the size of the Koeberg reactor. A number of units could be grouped together in a multi-module configuration if greater generating capacity is required.

The contract re-emphasises Stellenbosch University’s increasing status as a technologically innovative and research-driven university.

You have to wonder why the US doesn't get all in on this promising research and make it producible. Heck even small third world African countries could utilize one of those safe reactors -- Maybe that is the reason why not, do you think? So many promising new things in the world, so depressing is the Democrats' doom and gloom soup line vision for America -- What a contrast.