Potential of Small Nuclear Reactors for Future Clean and Safe Energy Sources: Proceedings of the International Specialists' Meeting SR/TiT, Tokyo, Japan, 23-25 October 1991

To cope with the various kinds of energy demands expected in the 21st century, it is necessary to explore the potential of small nuclear reactors and to find a way of promoting their introduction into society. "The constitution of the self-consistent nuclear energy system", is the main goal of current research activities. These activities can be understood by realizing that the nuclear community is facing the turning point for its survival in the 21st century. Self-consistency can be manifested by investigating and developing the potential advantages of the nuclear fission reaction and lessening the potential disadvantages. The 40 contributions in this volume discuss the concepts of various small reactors, applications of small reactors, and consistency with conventional energy supply systems. The book will prove an invaluable update and guide for all those interested in the progress and trends for small reactor developments in various organizations.

Table of Contents:
Abbreviated. 1. Small Reactors and Future Nuclear Energy Systems. Fission nuclear power prospects and its role in meeting global energy needs (S. Golan). Several features and applications of small reactors (H. Sekimoto). Concepts of small reactors (M.C. Edlund). Nuclear energy and the new era (F. Sefidvash). Current status and prospects of small nuclear power plants utilization in the USSR (Yu.A. Sergeev). 2. Small Reactor Deployment Plans. Institutional innovations required for widespread use of nuclear power (W.R. Johnson). Technical and economical potential of small reactors (S. Hattori). 3. Small Reactors for Developing Countries. Role of small nuclear reactors in Indian context (A. Kakodkar). 4. Water Cooled Small Reactors. TRIGA power system for power, water and heat in remote communities (R.W. Schleicher). Concept of highly passive safe reactor SPWR 2. Dynamic analysis (F. Araya et al.). Water moderated Th/U-233 breeder reactor (H. Akie et al.). 5. Liquid Metal Cooled Small Reactors. Desirable LMR design features: Lessons learned from EBR-II operating experience (Y.I. Chang). A concept of long life small safe reactors (Zaki Su'ud, H. Sekimoto). Characteristics of small LMFBR for future energy resources (T. Kawakita et al.). Conceptual design of modular double pool reactor (M. Uotani et al.). A conceptual study on a liquid metallic fuelled core (M. Kawashima et al.). 6. Gas Cooled Small Reactors. Small reactors utilizing high temperature capability of coated particle fuel (R.W. Schleicher, J.-D. Wistrom). Studies on the passive safety mechanisms of the modular high temperature gas-cooled reactor (T. Hayashi et al.). 7. Applications of Small Reactors. Design of inherently safe small reactors for remote operations (R.G. Palmer). Nuclear heating reactor, a safe, clean and economic energy source (W. Zheng et al.). Application of MRX (Advanced Marine Reactor X) to ships (H. Kobayashi et al.). Design study of a medical reactor for BNCT (M. Sasaki et al.). Author index. (A complete list of contents is available on request from the Publisher.)