New Ideas for Nuclear Reactors

Abstract

Many of you know that your speaker tonight is an old-timer in the field of nuclear energy. Now, an old-timer is a man who was in a field when the field was still undiscovered by most so that he was, comparatively speaking, isolated and lonesome in that field. He feels a bit baffled and uneasy now when he looks around and realizes his success in having made his field popular, and realizes even more keenly his failure to keep familiar with the events in his field. When the first newcomer arrived, and wrote a report, he said, “Now, this Mr. Read, he is evidently a very bright person, but if you look at the report that my friend Y wrote three years ago, you will find that he anticipated Mr. Read in almost everything.” When the next report, by Mr. Yellow, came out, he said, “Now this Mr. Yellow, he impresses me very much, but if you read my report of last year, you will realize that I must have known all that he says.” At the news of Mr. Greene’s ideas he says, “Now this Mr. Greene, I do not know how bright he is, but he does have a good point there.” I do not know why we did not think of it. “A year or something that nobody appreciated before.” But finally, when the old-timer looked at Violet’s report, he admits, “I just can’t read or understand all this work that goes on hereit is just too much for me.”

Early nuclear power reactor concepts were generated mainly by a few theoretical physicists during the relatively few quiet hours available in 1942–1945. Reactors were thought of in terms of structures “that a plumber could put together.” A typical illustration of early thinking is presented. In spite of these primitive beginnings, the basic technical pattern of power reactor development was understood at an early date.

Estimates of world energy resources are summarized. It is pointed out that the great effort to exploit nuclear energy can be justified only if it is directed toward a full utilization of uranium and thorium. Without breeding, nuclear fuels will only supply energy for a few decades in the future energy-hungry world.

Recent findings on nuclear reactor stability are discussed and the value of computing machines in theoretical studies is noted. A commentary on current concepts in reactors is presented; the flux trap reactor, boiling reactors, gas-cooling, and breeders using beryllium or U²³⁸ for possible improvement of neutron economy.

Direct conversion of nuclear heat into electricity is briefly reviewed. Thermocouple batteries and thermionic converters are described and some remarks are made concerning their future development.

First Annual Distinguished Lecturer’s address, presented to the Annual Meeting of the American Nuclear Society, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, June 15, 1959.