Generation IV Nuclear Reactors

Generation IV nuclear reactors are a class of innovative nuclear reactors using technologies beyond pressurized water reactors or boiling water reactors, the basis of the current commercial nuclear power. Six different concepts have been selected by an international forum to be studied, developed, and eventually built in international collaboration. Among these are advanced water-cooled reactors, which are intended to be more economical high-temperature reactors providing process heat in addition to electric power production, fast reactors to recycle spent fuel to fissile material and to reduce the radioactive inventory of the spent fuel repository, and molten salt reactors with highest flexibility for future fissile materials. While some of these reactor technologies have already been built and operated, in principle, since several decades, others are entirely new. Actual concepts, technologies, and future challenges are discussed in the chapter. Keywords: generation IV International forum; sustainable nuclear energy; fast neutron spectrum; gas cooled reactor; sodium-cooled fast reactor; lead-cooled fast reactor