December 17, 07
Toshiba Builds 100x Smaller Micro Nuclear Reactor
Toshiba has developed a new class of micro size Nuclear Reactors that is designed to power
individual apartment buildings or city blocks. The new reactor, which is only 20 feet by 6 feet,
could change everything for small remote communities, small businesses or even a group of
neighbors who are fed up with the power companies and want more control over their energy
needs.
The 200 kilowatt Toshiba designed reactor is engineered to be fail-safe
and totally automatic and will not overheat. Unlike traditional nuclear
reactors the new micro reactor uses no control rods to initiate the
reaction. The new revolutionary technology uses reservoirs of liquid
lithium-6, an isotope that is effective at absorbing neutrons. The
Lithium-6 reservoirs are connected to a vertical tube that fits into the
reactor core. The whole whole process is self sustaining and can last for
up to 40 years, producing electricity for only 5 cents per kilowatt hour,
about half the cost of grid energy.
Toshiba expects to install the first reactor in Japan in 2008 and to begin
marketing the new system in Europe and America in 2009.
www.nextenergynews.com
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