Upload
rusty
View
17
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
SIMULATION – key for Safe Energy Production. Janos Sebestyen JANOSY Senior Consultant Technical and Scientific Support Organization [email protected]. Industrial Revolution = Energy Energy = Steam engine = 90% even now! Engines: we got time to brainwork. Belt transmission. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
SIMULATION – key forSIMULATION – key forSafe Energy ProductionSafe Energy Production
Janos Sebestyen JANOSYJanos Sebestyen JANOSYSenior ConsultantSenior Consultant
Technical and Scientific Support OrganizationTechnical and Scientific Support Organization
[email protected]@energia.mta.hu
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of SciencesIndustrial Revolution = EnergyIndustrial Revolution = Energy
Energy = Steam engine = 90% even now! Energy = Steam engine = 90% even now! Engines: we got time to brainworkEngines: we got time to brainwork
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 22
Belt transmission
Power control: Speed control!
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
Factories
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 44
Our perspective is not very brightOur perspective is not very brightEnvironmental problems:Environmental problems:
Environmental problems – pollution, climate Environmental problems – pollution, climate change, exhaustion of the resources, etc. – change, exhaustion of the resources, etc. – some kind of “overspending”some kind of “overspending”
Economic problems:Economic problems:
Financial crisis, too much credits – all the Financial crisis, too much credits – all the same - overspending!same - overspending!
Something has to be changed – it’s going to Something has to be changed – it’s going to change anyway …change anyway …
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 55
Contents – three questionsContents – three questions - Do we really need so much energy – can we do - Do we really need so much energy – can we do with less?with less?
- Why not to switch to alternatives immediately – - Why not to switch to alternatives immediately – why we need fossils and nuclear power?why we need fossils and nuclear power?
- What is the problem with nuclear energy? Why - What is the problem with nuclear energy? Why accidents happen?accidents happen?
- Conclusions- Conclusions
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 66
Energy – key to technical development I.Energy – key to technical development I.
Hungary – less then middle developed in EUHungary – less then middle developed in EU
- Average electrical power per person – 425 W- Average electrical power per person – 425 W
- Average family in Hungary – 4 persons, 1700 W- Average family in Hungary – 4 persons, 1700 W
- A man’s capacity is - A man’s capacity is lessless than 100 W in 8 hours than 100 W in 8 hours-The 1700 W = 17 “slaves” in 3 shifts = 51 peopleThe 1700 W = 17 “slaves” in 3 shifts = 51 people(without logistics)(without logistics)- An average Hungarian family has 51 workers just An average Hungarian family has 51 workers just from electricity consumption of his country!from electricity consumption of his country!- Gas for cars, natural gas heating etc. etc.Gas for cars, natural gas heating etc. etc.
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 77
Energy – key to technical development II.Energy – key to technical development II.U.S.A., after WWII: Interstate Highway Program.Roads, cars, housing in suburbs. Lot of work!
Results:
Middle classlifestyle:
Work: ~60kmShop: ~20km
Theatre: ~120km
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 88
Energy – key to technical development III.Energy – key to technical development III.
Population in 1949: less than 2 billionsPopulation in 1949: less than 2 billionsPopulation in 2012: reached 7 billionsPopulation in 2012: reached 7 billions
Energy was abundant and cheap to the developed countries – Energy was abundant and cheap to the developed countries – the style and development directions they took is not the style and development directions they took is not affordable to anybody on the earth …affordable to anybody on the earth …
… … At least not as things are nowadays … even less with the At least not as things are nowadays … even less with the present economic crisis!present economic crisis!
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 99
Exponential growth – induced exponential growth in Exponential growth – induced exponential growth in energy (slower exp.) and food production (higher energy (slower exp.) and food production (higher exp.) !exp.) !
And everybody used to grow the same way. No big And everybody used to grow the same way. No big leap forward. leap forward.
Not sustainable too much longer … Not sustainable too much longer … That is probably a wrong direction …That is probably a wrong direction …
We do not see dramatic changes so far – that we are We do not see dramatic changes so far – that we are going to turn into any other (sustainable) direction!going to turn into any other (sustainable) direction!
Energy – key to technical development IV.Energy – key to technical development IV.
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 1010
Energy Production, Consumption & EfficiencyEnergy Production, Consumption & EfficiencyStates
(toe: ton of oil eq.= 41.87 GJ)
Per capita consumption,
toe/person
GDP pro energy
consumption, k$/toe
GDP per citizen,
k$/person
Import, % of consumption Export, -% of
production U.S.A. 7.76 4.55 35.3 31 % Russia 4.46 0.51 2.27 - 46 %
Germany 4.21 5.56 23.4 62 % Hungary 2.61 2.08 5.43 61 % Poland 2.40 2.04 4.90 15 %
Malaysia 2.21 1.89 4.18 - 60 % China 1.22 1.06 1.29 7 %
Nigeria 0.70 0.52 0.364 - 60 % India 0.50 1.01 0.505 18 %
Sources: International Energy Agency Statistics, World Population Prospects Database - 2008Sources: International Energy Agency Statistics, World Population Prospects Database - 2008
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 1111
Status of COStatus of CO2 2 - as it is now ...- as it is now ...Equilibrium in chemical processesEquilibrium in chemical processesBurningBurning ((heat generatedheat generated) ) →→ Conc.: Conc.: .028%.028%
C+OC+O2 2 ↔ CO↔ CO22
Conc.:Conc.: 20%20% ←← PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis ((energy absorptionenergy absorption))
All carbon is "hidden" below earth surface ...All carbon is "hidden" below earth surface ... Efficiency of the photosynthesis: lessEfficiency of the photosynthesis: less than than 1%1%It is NOT an equilibrium - drifted fully to the left ...It is NOT an equilibrium - drifted fully to the left ...It could be the opposite side, tooIt could be the opposite side, too ... ... ?!? ?!?
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 1212
The COThe CO2 2 problemproblem I.I.- Before Industry- Before Industry – 280 ppm (photosynthesis?) – 280 ppm (photosynthesis?) - Late 1950s- Late 1950s – 315 ppm, 113 %– 315 ppm, 113 %- In 2008- In 2008 – 380 ppm, 136 %– 380 ppm, 136 %- Growing by exponent … now 2 ppm/year- Growing by exponent … now 2 ppm/year-Threshold valueThreshold value – around 450 ppm, 161 %– around 450 ppm, 161 %
The expected growth is far higher than the growth The expected growth is far higher than the growth of the global industry, because:of the global industry, because:Big developing countriesBig developing countries: China, India – per : China, India – per capita producing capita producing far lessfar less than the U.S.A., but are than the U.S.A., but are growing growing more rapidlymore rapidly and have and have big populationsbig populations
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 1313
The COThe CO2 2 problemproblem II.II.U.S.A. producing around a U.S.A. producing around a quarter of all CO2quarter of all CO2and keep and keep growing 20%growing 20% between 2000-2020 between 2000-2020
China: China: produces 80% of the cement & concrete of the produces 80% of the cement & concrete of the whole world (lot of energy needed for that)whole world (lot of energy needed for that) Coal-firing new power plants are connected to Coal-firing new power plants are connected to grid every week or so (lot of new carbon release)grid every week or so (lot of new carbon release)China, India: China, India: Nuclear power cannot catch-upNuclear power cannot catch-up to to the speed of the growth even if they would like …the speed of the growth even if they would like …
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 1414
Contents – three questionsContents – three questions - Do we really need so much energy – can we do - Do we really need so much energy – can we do with less?with less?
- Why not to switch to alternatives immediately – - Why not to switch to alternatives immediately – why we need fossils and nuclear power?why we need fossils and nuclear power?
- What is the problem with nuclear energy? Why - What is the problem with nuclear energy? Why accidents happen?accidents happen?
- Conclusions- Conclusions
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 1515
Renewables, alternatives I.Renewables, alternatives I. Renewables: directly and indirectly:Renewables: directly and indirectly: all produced by the all produced by the SUNSUN
Directly: Not producing CODirectly: Not producing CO22
- Solar panel (not feasable yet), solar boiler- Solar panel (not feasable yet), solar boiler
- Wind mill, wind turbine- Wind mill, wind turbine
- Water dams, water turbines- Water dams, water turbines
- Wave power (?), on coastlines- Wave power (?), on coastlines
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 1616
Renewables, alternatives II.Renewables, alternatives II.
Renewables: directly and indirectly: Renewables: directly and indirectly: all power produced by the all power produced by the SUNSUN
Indirectly: Not producing COIndirectly: Not producing CO2 2 , too! , too!
- Biomass- Biomass
- Bio-ethanol, bio-diesel- Bio-ethanol, bio-diesel
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 1717
Renewables, alternatives III.Renewables, alternatives III.
Alternatives:Alternatives:
Not producing CONot producing CO2 2 - either- either
- Fusion power (as ITER) – still far ahead - Fusion power (as ITER) – still far ahead
- Geothermal energy – questionable- Geothermal energy – questionable
(because not renewable!)(because not renewable!)
- Electrical cars: at least questionable …- Electrical cars: at least questionable …
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 1818
More energy - let's use the sun ?!More energy - let's use the sun ?!
Source Data from
Production, billion of gallons
(cost, $/g)
Gallon of
gas, USD
Gallon of
ethanol, USD
Price of equiv.
ethanol, USD
Energy balance prod.
per cons.
Emission compared
by gas, less by:
Corn U.S.A. 4.86 (1.09$) 3.03 2.62 3.71 1.3 : 1 22% S. Cane Brasil 3.96 (0.87$) 4.91* 2.92 3.88 8 : 1 56%
Cellulose U.S.A. Developing 2...36 : 1 up to 91% Soybean** Germany 0.5 6.15 6.80 6.73 2.5 : 1 68% * - contains 25% ethanol anyway ** Bio-Diesel compared with traditional Diesel
Ethanol : Octane is 113Ethanol : Octane is 113 (better than gas) (better than gas)- but energy content: abt. 67% of the gas- but energy content: abt. 67% of the gas
Diesel: about the same as diesel from crude oilDiesel: about the same as diesel from crude oil
(Ford originally used ethanol, and(Ford originally used ethanol, and DieselDiesel oil from peanuts!)oil from peanuts!)These are questionable numbers:These are questionable numbers:
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 1919
Food production problems I.Food production problems I.Terrain = const.
Terrain =
Wildlife habitats, national parks
ORAgriculture,that means
- Food production
- OR Bio-energy
production
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 2020
Food production problems II.Food production problems II.- Population is growing exponentially- Population is growing exponentially- Food production has to grow (at least) - Food production has to grow (at least) exponentially, too …exponentially, too …- It could be done only by intensification - It could be done only by intensification (fertilizers, pesticides, machinery, etc.) (fertilizers, pesticides, machinery, etc.) resulting in much bigger yieldsresulting in much bigger yields- Soils not cultivated intensively are already - Soils not cultivated intensively are already limited. limited. Cutting rain forests even more?!Cutting rain forests even more?!
- “Bio” production: clearly a concurrent- “Bio” production: clearly a concurrent
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 2121
Food Food prod.prod.prob-prob-lems lems III.III.
Sara-Sara-wakwak
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 2222
Food production problems III.Food production problems III.- Changing habits: we eat more meat …- Changing habits: we eat more meat …- Hungary: even in the XIX. century: - Hungary: even in the XIX. century:
commons were eating meat only once, commons were eating meat only once, max. twice a week; now every day;max. twice a week; now every day;
- China: changing the same way:- China: changing the same way:- Developed countries: 20-25% of meat- Developed countries: 20-25% of meat- China: now 3-5% but growing fast- China: now 3-5% but growing fast- Eating meat means: 6 times more - Eating meat means: 6 times more
vegetation should be produced!!vegetation should be produced!!
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 2323
Problems with the renewablesProblems with the renewables- Basically most of them are unpredictable, except water Basically most of them are unpredictable, except water
power (melting snow, storage)power (melting snow, storage)- Electrical energy cannot be stored, production should be Electrical energy cannot be stored, production should be
equal to consumption (water plants can mitigate the equal to consumption (water plants can mitigate the storage problem a little)storage problem a little)
- Without significant amount of water dams unpredictable Without significant amount of water dams unpredictable part should be less than 12-14%part should be less than 12-14%
- With significant amount of water power it can be up to With significant amount of water power it can be up to max. 20-24% of powermax. 20-24% of power
- In Hungary: nuclear power 40%, in France: ~70%In Hungary: nuclear power 40%, in France: ~70%- Anyway, we have to have backup – costs!Anyway, we have to have backup – costs!
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 2424
Contents – three questionsContents – three questions - Do we really need so much energy – can we do - Do we really need so much energy – can we do with less?with less?
- Why not to switch to alternatives immediately – - Why not to switch to alternatives immediately – why we need fossils and nuclear power?why we need fossils and nuclear power?
- What is the problem with nuclear energy? Why - What is the problem with nuclear energy? Why accidents happen?accidents happen?
- Conclusions- Conclusions
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 2525
Basic problems of NPPs I.Basic problems of NPPs I.Three significant incidents so far:Three significant incidents so far:1.1. Three Mile Island accident: poor Three Mile Island accident: poor
instrumentation, insufficient information, instrumentation, insufficient information, wrong operating philosophywrong operating philosophy
2.2. Chernobyl: known but unhandled design Chernobyl: known but unhandled design flaw, clear violation of the operational flaw, clear violation of the operational rulesrules
3.3. Fukushima: Inadequate preparation to Fukushima: Inadequate preparation to natural disaster, outdated old plantnatural disaster, outdated old plant
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 2626
Basic problems of NPPs II.Basic problems of NPPs II."Remnant" heat is generated for long even after "Remnant" heat is generated for long even after the chain reaction is switched off ...the chain reaction is switched off ...
Fuel rods of Fuel rods of Ø9-Ø10 mm diameter, 2.5-4.5 m long, Ø9-Ø10 mm diameter, 2.5-4.5 m long, Zirconium cladding, inside UZirconium cladding, inside U22OO55 pellets, power pellets, power
density 70-90 kW/Liter (!) - even after shutdown density 70-90 kW/Liter (!) - even after shutdown several kW/Liter - if the fuel rods are not covered several kW/Liter - if the fuel rods are not covered by water, they melt down (electrical teapot effect)by water, they melt down (electrical teapot effect)
Practically Practically THE SAFETYTHE SAFETY means: keep the core means: keep the core under water and cooled under water and cooled ALL THE TIME!ALL THE TIME!
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 2727
Basic problems of NPPs III.Basic problems of NPPs III.Fission means splitting UFission means splitting U235235 atoms by chain reaction, using atoms by chain reaction, using neutrons. 93-94% of heat comes from fission.neutrons. 93-94% of heat comes from fission.
All the fission products – parts of the former UAll the fission products – parts of the former U235235 atom – atom –can be found in the periodical table, they are all well can be found in the periodical table, they are all well known elements – like iodine, iron, lead, etc.known elements – like iodine, iron, lead, etc.
Parts of these element have excess energy, they are Parts of these element have excess energy, they are radioactive, they get rid of this energy by radiation and radioactive, they get rid of this energy by radiation and producing heat.producing heat.
This heat gives the 6-7% of energy, not coming directly This heat gives the 6-7% of energy, not coming directly from chain reaction, from fission itself. This heat cannot be from chain reaction, from fission itself. This heat cannot be eliminated, it produced by radioactive decay.eliminated, it produced by radioactive decay.
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 2828
Heat after shutdown I.Heat after shutdown I.
Time after shutdown, hoursTime after shutdown, hours
%%
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 2929
Heat after shutdown II.Heat after shutdown II.
Time after shutdown, secondsTime after shutdown, seconds
%%
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 3030
The 6-loop VVER-440The 6-loop VVER-440
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 3131
The FUKUSHIMA boiling water reactor unit I.The FUKUSHIMA boiling water reactor unit I.
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 3232
The FUKUSHIMA boiling water reactor unit I.The FUKUSHIMA boiling water reactor unit I.
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 3333
NPP design conceptsNPP design concepts1. NO (normal operation)1. NO (normal operation)2. AOO (anticipated operational occurrences) Turbine and 2. AOO (anticipated operational occurrences) Turbine and
pump trips, valve malfunctions, equipment failure pump trips, valve malfunctions, equipment failure etc. etc.etc. etc.
These should be handled without further damage to the These should be handled without further damage to the equipment. No release should happen.equipment. No release should happen.
3. DBA (design basis accident) e.g. LOCA, big cooling 3. DBA (design basis accident) e.g. LOCA, big cooling pipe break. The core should not melt – the proper pipe break. The core should not melt – the proper cooling should be provided even in this case.cooling should be provided even in this case.
4. BDBA (Beyond design basis accident) – everything 4. BDBA (Beyond design basis accident) – everything unthinkable. The core can melt, but significant unthinkable. The core can melt, but significant amount of radioactivity should not be released. amount of radioactivity should not be released.
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 3434
What happened?What happened?Plant withstood the Magnitude 9 Earthquake Plant withstood the Magnitude 9 Earthquake – all units – all units tripped normally. The roads were destroyed, electrical tripped normally. The roads were destroyed, electrical power lines crushed, external power out, the units all power lines crushed, external power out, the units all stopped: internal power out as well. The diesel generators stopped: internal power out as well. The diesel generators started normally. The cooling went on normally.started normally. The cooling went on normally.After several hours later the tsunami arrivedAfter several hours later the tsunami arrived. The plant was . The plant was designed to withstand 8m tsunami, but it was 11m high. It designed to withstand 8m tsunami, but it was 11m high. It destroyed the infrastructure, including the cooling destroyed the infrastructure, including the cooling radiators of the diesels, and the fuel tanks. They stopped radiators of the diesels, and the fuel tanks. They stopped and the cooling of the fuel rods ceased.and the cooling of the fuel rods ceased.Being higher on the slope, the 5Being higher on the slope, the 5thth and 6 and 6thth unit withstood the unit withstood the tsunami, too, they are in good shape, they were restarted tsunami, too, they are in good shape, they were restarted already.already.
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 3535
What happened after that?What happened after that?There was no cooling, no energy. The cores started to dry There was no cooling, no energy. The cores started to dry out and heat up. Even if it goes to melting, it is foreseen out and heat up. Even if it goes to melting, it is foreseen what would happen. The vessel is cooled, still sitting in what would happen. The vessel is cooled, still sitting in water, if it fails and melts through, there is the core catcher water, if it fails and melts through, there is the core catcher etc. The 3 layers of the containment will keep the decaying etc. The 3 layers of the containment will keep the decaying fission products inside. This process evolves for weeks, fission products inside. This process evolves for weeks, there is time recover the cooling somehow.there is time recover the cooling somehow.
Then the Zirconium reaction came, what was not regarded Then the Zirconium reaction came, what was not regarded as of basic importance 40 years ago.as of basic importance 40 years ago.
(The cladding of the fuel element is made of Zirconium.)(The cladding of the fuel element is made of Zirconium.)
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 3636
The disastrous Zr reactionThe disastrous Zr reactionHere is it:Here is it:
Zr + 2 H2O ZrO2 + 2H2 + 5 MJ/kg-ZrTo start the reaction we need 1200C. We get it if there is no cooling in the core.The zirconium is burning, reducting the oxygen from water. That needs energy, but the remaining 5MJ energy is a lot for 1kg of Zirconium. An there is the produced hydrogen …
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 3737
Contents – three questionsContents – three questions - Do we really need so much energy – can we do - Do we really need so much energy – can we do with less?with less?
- Why not to switch to alternatives immediately – - Why not to switch to alternatives immediately – why we need fossils and nuclear power?why we need fossils and nuclear power?
- What is the problem with nuclear energy? Why - What is the problem with nuclear energy? Why accidents happen?accidents happen?
- Conclusions- Conclusions
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 3838
The consequencesThe consequences1.1. Shock tests to be performed to NPPs all overShock tests to be performed to NPPs all over2.2. If there are no energy reasonable replacements, we If there are no energy reasonable replacements, we
should do everything according to our best knowledgeshould do everything according to our best knowledge3.3. USA: new units are to be constructed in Texas, tax USA: new units are to be constructed in Texas, tax
shelter for the first 6 new unitsshelter for the first 6 new units4.4. Russia, Mexico, France, Finland, China are started Russia, Mexico, France, Finland, China are started
construction of new plants - over 30 reactors are construction of new plants - over 30 reactors are already under construction – Japan, Sweden are already under construction – Japan, Sweden are considering considering
5.5. Japan: stopped 53 of 54, very bad economic difficultiesJapan: stopped 53 of 54, very bad economic difficulties6.6. Germany and some others (?) are gradually stoppingGermany and some others (?) are gradually stopping
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 3939
What should be done?What should be done?Generation IV: Inherent safety!Generation IV: Inherent safety!
Cooling should be maintained with natural Cooling should be maintained with natural circulation, without external energy or circulation, without external energy or human interaction.human interaction.
Properly cooled: no Zr reaction, but enough Properly cooled: no Zr reaction, but enough Hydrogen re-combiners should be installedHydrogen re-combiners should be installed
On the design desks already long before On the design desks already long before Fukushima happened.Fukushima happened.
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 4040
An example:An example:
Upper water tank: startsUpper water tank: startscooling if temperature iscooling if temperature ishigh enoughhigh enoughNatural circulation:Natural circulation:- Air cooling- Air cooling- Internal cooling- Internal coolingReactor vessel is the Reactor vessel is the lowest point, all the water lowest point, all the water flows there flows there No external energy and No external energy and no human/automatic no human/automatic interaction is neededinteraction is needed
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 4141
Core cooling:Core cooling:The tank The tank condenses the condenses the blow down, blow down, feeds the feeds the reactor vessel; reactor vessel; water is water is collected from collected from the floor and the floor and led to the core led to the core without without external external energy or energy or interactioninteraction
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 4242
Simulation: everywhere, everything, alwaysSimulation: everywhere, everything, always
All or existing knowledge is concentrated now All or existing knowledge is concentrated now in simulation packages, simulation codes; in simulation packages, simulation codes;
The codes/packages are verified and validated The codes/packages are verified and validated carefully against well-designed experiments, carefully against well-designed experiments, recorded transients and accidents;recorded transients and accidents;
We are asking the questions and simulation We are asking the questions and simulation gives us answers;gives us answers;
The key point is: are we asking all the right The key point is: are we asking all the right questions? May be we forget to ask sometimes questions? May be we forget to ask sometimes something extraordinary? something extraordinary?
Centre for Energy ResearchCentre for Energy Research
Hungarian Academy of SciencesHungarian Academy of Sciences
EMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 NovemberEMS2012, Malta, 14 – 16 November 4343
Thank you Thank you for your for your
attentionattention!!
Questions?Questions?