Generation IV Reactor Designs Explained
Guide to 6 Gen IV reactor types — molten salt, gas-cooled, sodium-cooled, lead-cooled, supercritical water, and molten salt.
Key Highlights
- ✓ 6 Gen IV reactor types explained
- ✓ Coolant and fuel cycle comparisons
- ✓ Passive safety features
- ✓ Proliferation resistance analysis
- ✓ Current development projects worldwide
Overview
A comprehensive guide to the six Generation IV nuclear reactor concepts. Covers design principles, advantages, challenges, and current development status for each reactor type.
What's Inside
Molten Salt Reactors (MSR)
MSRs use molten fluoride or chloride salts as both coolant and fuel carrier, enabling high-temperature operation, low-pressure systems, and online refueling. We cover liquid-fuel and solid-fuel MSR variants, including TerraPower's MCFR and Flibe Energy's LFTR.
Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactors (SFR)
SFRs use liquid sodium coolant for high thermal efficiency and breeder capability. Covers TerraPower's Natrius, GE Hitachi's PRISM, and Russia's BN series. We examine the sodium-water reaction risk and mitigation strategies.
High-Temperature Gas Reactors (HTGR)
HTGRs use helium coolant and TRISO fuel particles for inherent safety and high-temperature process heat applications. Covers X-energy's Xe-100 and Japan's HTTR, including hydrogen production capabilities.
Ready to dive in?
Explore this resource and discover more across our 12 technology frontiers.