The eVinci Nuclear Microreactor is Advancing Toward Commercialization

Westinghouse Electric Company is pushing forward with its groundbreaking eVinci nuclear microreactor. Drawing on space nuclear technology, this compact reactor has no moving parts and can be easily replaced for refueling, similar to swapping out a used gas cylinder.

As concerns about climate change grow, nuclear energy is making a comeback. Its zero-emission nature and capacity to produce substantial power make it well-suited to tackle many energy challenges.

However, the industry must address safety concerns—whether real or perceived—while also improving availability and reducing costs. Additionally, it needs to accelerate the typically lengthy construction timelines that have historically spanned several years.

Westinghouse Introduces the Compact eVinci Microreactor

Westinghouse’s answer to these challenges is the eVinci microreactor, measuring less than 10 ft (3 m) in diameter and capable of generating up to 5 megawatts electrical (MWe) with a core design that produces 15 megawatts thermal (MWth).

This compact unit can be produced in a factory instead of being built on-site and operates for more than eight years on a single fuel load. Once the fuel is exhausted, the entire reactor is deactivated, loaded onto a truck, and transported back to the factory for refueling or to be replaced with a new unit.

What distinguishes the eVinci from other small reactors is its lack of moving parts during normal operation and its independence from water or other coolant circulation.

eVinci Microreactor Employs Durable TRISO Fuel for Enhanced Safety and Efficiency

It utilizes highly resilient TRISO (TRi-structural ISOtropic) fuel, which is composed of uranium enriched to 19.75% and sealed into pellets the size of millet seeds made from uranium, carbon, and ceramic materials.

These pellets are formed into small spheres, which are then packed into rods and placed in the core. This results in a fuel assembly that is exceptionally durable, resistant to heat and corrosion, and capable of producing a self-limiting nuclear reaction that cannot become uncontrolled.

In addition to the fuel rods, shutdown rods are included during transport to completely halt the nuclear reaction. A rotating drum must also be moved aside for the core to activate, and in an emergency, this drum automatically rolls back into position to safely shut everything down.

eVinci Microreactor Operates with No Moving Parts, Utilizing Solid-Steel Monolith for Cooling

In summary, once operational, the reactor requires no moving parts to function, including for cooling. Rather than circulating water, it employs a solid-steel monolith to encase the core and absorb heat. Heat is then passively conducted away via alkali heat pipes, which utilize phase changes in the alkali metal to cool the reactor and convert the heat into electricity.

This design results in a compact and inherently safe reactor. Westinghouse asserts that the eVinci can be installed above ground in a relatively lightweight facility that occupies only about two acres (8,090 m²) and requires just a small staff for operations and security. The core’s size allows it to be shipped in standard containers by rail, barge, or truck.

Beyond civilian power generation, Westinghouse indicates that the eVinci is also ideal for powering remote areas, mining and drilling activities, industrial plants, district heating, hydrogen production, research facilities, military bases, and data centers. It can be configured for on-demand loads, enabling integration with wind and solar energy grids.

The company has submitted a Preliminary Safety Design Report (PSDR) for the eVinci microreactor to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC), marking a significant milestone for the reactor.

“This PSDR submission is a crucial step toward bringing the Westinghouse eVinci Microreactor into commercial operation,” stated Jon Ball, President of eVinci Technologies at Westinghouse. “We aim to deploy multiple eVinci microreactors globally by the end of the decade, and our strong ongoing partnership with INL and the Department of Energy is vital to our progress.”

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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