The Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Modern Physics has recently completed the prototype for what they call a “particle beam cannon” (PBC). The PBC is a new nuclear technology that promises to recycle dangerous radioactive waste. The PBC is a product of China’s huge investment in advanced nuclear energy systems. The breakthrough represented by the PBC prototype could help move China toward energy independence. It would further cement China’s global leadership in climate-friendly technology.
A nuclear fission power reactor produces radioactive spent fuel waste. Once removed from the reactor, the spent nuclear fuel is left in the cooling pool at the reactor site for a few years to let it cool off. Then it must be safely stored until it can be disposed of in a permanent geological repository. However, a proposed new type of reactor constructed with this PBC (formerly a proton accelerator) could recycle this spent nuclear fuel which would make it cheaper and safer to generate electricity with nuclear energy.
The design of the PBC, referred to as an accelerator-driven system (ADS), contains three parts. The first part is the proton accelerator which emits protons. The second part is the spallation target which contains the heavy elements to be split. The third part is the sub-critical reactor which contains the fuel which causes fission. The accelerator fires protons at a heavy element (usually bismuth) surrounded by a blanket of spent fuel and fresh fissile material (probably thorium-232 or uranium-238). The atoms of the heavy element in the target are split by the protrons emitted by the accelerator. Neutrons are emitted which are absorbed by the blanket of spent nuclear fuel. This turns the fuel into fissile heavy isotopes which means that it can be used again as fresh nuclear fuel. This process is self-terminating and cannot result in a chain reaction or a meltdown. The work of the Institute of Modern Physics is a major step towards a working ADS. It is a prime example of China’s huge investment in advanced nuclear energy systems resulting in new innovation.
While many nations have abandoned nuclear energy, China believes that fission is the key to a more secure future. Some analysts believe that nuclear fission power is more efficient than wind or solar. It does not emit particulate air pollution. Other than carbon dioxide emitted by construction and fuel preparation, nuclear power plants do not emit carbon dioxide while they are operating. China is ranked second in the world for daily oil consumption and its demand for ever more energy places it in a precarious position. As much as seventy percent of the oil consumed in China comes from imports. Most of these imports come from the Middle East and must move through numerous maritime chokepoints. It is estimated that China will spend four hundred and forty billion dollars between now and 2035 to construct at least one hundred and fifty more nuclear power plants. If China continues to develop ADS technology, the spent nuclear fuel from these new power plants can be recycled to produce even more needed energy.