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ZS6AFG > FUEL 04.10.07 16:02l 61 Lines 3255 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 3C0070ZS6AFG
Read: GUEST
Subj: Pat 2 S.A. Alternate Fuel
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0MRW<DK0WUE<7M3TJZ<PY1AYH<CX2SA<ZS0MEE<ZS6BJU<ZS0DLD<
ZS6MI
Sent: 071004/1324Z @:ZS6MI.PTA.GAU.ZAF.AF #:41188 [Pretoria] $:3C0070ZS6AFG
From: ZS6AFG@ZS6MI.PTA.GAU.ZAF.AF
To : FUEL@WW
Part 2 of 3
It will take 12 PBMR`s to equal the power output of the two Koeberg
reactors. The use of helium gas, in a closed cycle, is an inert gas,
which can not burn nor become radio active, and is therefore ideal to use
as a heat transfer medium, with improved safety, especially as the process
fails safe when shut down. The PBMR depleted fuel pebbles cannot be used
as feed stock for enrichment of weapon quality uranium or to build "dirty
bombs". The PBMR makes a perfect reactor system for developing countries,
who are showing great interest. South Africa intends building PBMR`s for
its own use and for export, once the technology has been proven and
commercialised. The facilities are open to international nuclear
inspection, at the same time making the countries intentions clear.
The USA Department of Energy, awarded the PBMR company a contract to
carry out a study to define the reactor system as the potential basis for
the proposed "hydrogen economy" for world free pollution fuel. This is a
dual purpose reactor to be built at the Idaho Laboratory to produce
electricity and process heat for hydrogen production. Westinghouse
reports that 30 nuclear power plants are now planned for the USA, and
licences will be submitted in the near future. Westinghouse provides fuel
services, technology, plant design and equipment for the commercial
nuclear power industry.
Toshiba Group recently acquired a majority stake in Westinghouse from
British Nuclear Fuels. There is another advantage with the PBMR system
due to its high operating temperatures in gas cooloing. Conventional
nuclear systems operate at a temperature of 200 to 300 degrees centigrade,
while the PBMR operates closer to 1000 degrees centigrade.
(Jaco Kriek, CEO of PBMR Company, Pretoria.) The high temperature reactor
would be suitable for other purposes, including large sea water
desalination,hydrogen production and coal and gas liquification.
Discussions with Canada company to use the heat generated to extract oil
from oil sands could follow.
The area occupied by a PBMR is about 1/4 of a football field, and have a
safety exclusion zone of only 300 metres radius, according to the IAEA
controlling body. S.A. is fast tracking to build another nuclear power
station, and to add to this another 24 PBMR by 2025. A test bed PBMR,
still to be proven, will be built on the Koeberg site, next year. the
State, Eskom, the Industrial Development Corporation and British
Westinghouse Electric Company (bought by Toshiba) are current owners of
PBMR Ltd. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have contracted to build the
pressure vessel for the demostration plant. The PBMR runs on 500 000
spheres of uranium coated graphite. PBMR Ltd will build commercial units
for about $ 400 TO $ 500 million, and produce power at about 4 cents per
kW.
Eskom and PBMR are negotiating an intention to purchase up to 24
reactors, and this will be spread out between 2012 and 2025. EarthLife
Africa is lobbing to attack both conventional and PBMR projects, during
the enviromental impact assessment public hearings.
73 - ui, ZS6AFG @ ZS6MI
Message timed: 12:30 on 2007-Oct-04
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