Generation of nuclear reactor

Technologies of Nuclear reactor are classified in term of generation. This classification was created in 2001, during the launching of the International forum Generation IV. The chronology of the various generations corresponds to the date of maturity of associated technologies, allowing a deployment on an industrial scale.

Opponents with nuclear energy dispute this classification, estimating that all the engines are comparable and that it is only about one advertizing presentation, intended to accredit the idea that nuclear industry progresses to the wire of time.

Description of the generations

Generation I

The generation I indicates the first engines built before 1970:

  • Magnox (Great Britain)
  • UNGG (France)

Generation II: engines currently in service

The generation II indicates the engines built between 1970 and 1998 and currently in service, primarily of the die REFERENCE MARK (PWR)

The principal types of nuclear reactors currently built in the world are engines of 2nd generation:

  • AGR : Advanced engine with the gas
  • RBMK: Ebullient water reactor, moderated with graphite, of Soviet design.
  • REB : Ebullient water reactor (REB)
  • PHWR: Pressurized heavy-water reactor
  • REFERENCE MARK: Pressurized water reactor (REFERENCE MARK)
  • RNR: Fast reactor
  • WWER: Pressurized water reactor of Soviet design
  • CANDU: Nuclear reactor with natural uranium with heavy water conceived in Canada

Generation III: improvements of the second generation

The generation III indicates the engines derived from the precedents, conceived to replace them as from 2010: most famous in Europe is EPR.

Generation III+

The engines more innovating of the 3rd generation are classified in a generation III+. However, they do not come afterwards, but are concurents generation III, like American ESBWR. This intermediate classification is employed by the Argonne National American Laboratory, but not by the Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique.

Generation IV: technological rupture

The generation IV indicates the engines which could enter in service by 2030; six Filière S are currently being studied within the International forum Generation IV.

The nuclear reactors in project of the Génération IV are:

  • high-temperature reactors;
  • supercritical water reactors;
  • fast engines with coolant gas;
  • fast engines with coolant sodium;
  • fast engines with coolant lead;
  • engines with molten salts.

In addition, there exist subcritical projects of engines (hybrid ADS), dedicated to the Transmutation.

The engines Phoenix and Super-Phenix are prototypes of engines of generation IV.

See too

Internal bonds

External bonds

References

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