Why Bill Gates’ New Natrium Reactor is a Big Deal
Image: Hyme.Energy
Bill Gates has financed a nuclear reactor in Wyoming that just started construction. It’s the first of its type and I’ve had a look at what’s new about it.
Before I talk about the new reactor, a big thank you to all our supporters on Patreon, especially those of you in tier four and higher. This channel would not be possible without your help. And you too can help us. Go check out our Patreon or join us right here on Youtube.
The new reactor comes from the company TerraPower and they call it a Natrium reactor. “Natrium” is the Latin, and German, name of the chemical element “Na” that’s called “sodium” in English. Which is why, confusing absolutely no one, the key element of the Natrium plant is a sodium-cooled fast reactor combined with an energy storage system.
That it’s a fast reactor doesn’t mean it runs across Wyoming, it means it uses fast neutrons. Fast reactors use fuel that is more enriched in radioactive compounds. They can also recycle nuclear waste, in particular plutonium.
That it’s sodium-cooled means what you think it does, the energy that is created in the nuclear reaction is carried away by the sodium and then used to generate electricity. This also cools the reactor. One uses sodium because that has a high boiling point and can transport a lot of heat. It has the additional benefit that it doesn’t catch too many of the fast neutrons because that could impede the reaction.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Science without the gobbledygook to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.