How VTR contributes to
clean nuclear energy & climate safety
Safety is the highest priority at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) 17 National Laboratories, and the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) is no exception. VTR relies on state-of-the-art safety systems, along with the support of a highly trained team of engineers and operators committed to a strong safety culture, that encompasses protection of public health, the environment and worker safety. The experimental data from VTR will contribute to continuous safety improvements in current and advanced nuclear energy facilities across the planet.
How VTR contributes to clean nuclear energy & climate safety
Safety is the highest priority at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) 17 National Laboratories, and the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) is no exception. VTR relies on state-of-the-art safety systems, along with the support of a highly trained team of engineers and operators committed to a strong safety culture, that encompasses protection of public health, the environment and worker safety. The experimental data from VTR will contribute to continuous safety improvements in current and advanced nuclear energy facilities across the planet.
Monitoring VTR’s Effect on the Environment
Wherever VTR is located, the surrounding environment will be monitored regularly to protect the health and safety of workers, residents and wildlife in the area.
Monitoring VTR’s Effect on the Environment
Wherever VTR is located, the surrounding environment will be monitored regularly to protect the health and safety of workers, residents and wildlife in the area.
How VTR Safely Handles Nuclear Waste
The used fuel from VTR must be safely processed and secured in storage containers to minimize the risk of radioactive materials escaping into the environment.
How VTR Safely Handles Nuclear Waste
The used fuel from VTR must be safely processed and secured in storage containers to minimize the risk of radioactive materials escaping into the environment.
VTR has Inherent Safety Characteristics
An inherent safety characteristic is a fundamental property of a design concept that results from the
basic choices in the materials used or in other design aspects, which assures that a particular
potential hazard cannot become a safety concern in any way.
For example, a plant in which no flammable or combustible materials are employed would be
inherently safe against fire, regardless of whatever else may happen during an accident.
VTR has Inherent Safety Characteristics
An inherent safety characteristic is a fundamental property of a design concept that results from the basic choices in the materials used or in other design aspects, which assures that a particular potential hazard cannot become a safety concern in any way. For example, a plant in which no flammable or combustible materials are employed would be inherently safe against fire, regardless of whatever else may happen during an accident.
VTR uses two types of engineered safety systems:
Active Safety Systems
Active Safety Systems rely on electrical power as well as human and computer oversight. Active safety systems have made nuclear energy one of the safest forms of power generation. During an emergency condition, such as an earthquake, the operator inserts safety rods into the reactor core that absorb neutrons, stop fission and shut down the reactor.
Passive Safety Systems
Passive safety systems eliminate the need for electrical power and human or computer oversight in the case of an accident. For example, in liquid-metal reactors like VTR, if the electric pumps fail and the temperature gets too high, the fuel expands, making fewer neutrons available for fission. In other words, increased temperatures provide negative feedback to the reactor, causing it to power down naturally, according to the laws of physics.
Because VTR has inherent safety characteristics combined with multiple passive safety systems, it requires only 10% of the active safety system components typically used in a conventional light-water nuclear reactor. That’s because VTR’s design and operations allow the reactor to cool naturally, according to the laws of physics, in an emergency situation.
VTR uses two types of engineered safety systems:
Active Safety Systems
Active Safety Systems rely on electrical power as well as human and computer oversight. Active safety systems have made nuclear energy one of the safest forms of power generation. During an emergency condition, such as an earthquake, the operator inserts safety rods into the reactor core that absorb neutrons, stop fission and shut down the reactor.
Passive Safety Systems
Passive safety systems eliminate the need for electrical power and human or computer oversight in the case of an accident. For example, in liquid-metal reactors like VTR, if the electric pumps fail and the temperature gets too high, the fuel expands, making fewer neutrons available for fission. In other words, increased temperatures provide negative feedback to the reactor, causing it to power down naturally, according to the laws of physics.
Because VTR has inherent safety characteristics combined with multiple passive safety systems, it requires only 10% of the active safety system components typically used in a conventional light-water nuclear reactor. That’s because VTR’s design and operations allow the reactor to cool naturally, according to the laws of physics, in an emergency situation.
FAQs
What kind of fuel will VTR use? Is it dangerous?
Several options of a metallic-alloy fuel, including Uranium, Plutonium and Zirconium, are being considered. Using this type of metal fuel provides numerous safety benefits. VTR is designed in an inherently safe manner. If the core starts to overheat, the encased fuel’s shielding will swell, slowing down and eventually squelching the fission reaction and causing the reactor to shut down naturally, according to the laws of physics.
Where will VTR be located?
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has proposed building the VTR complex at one of its national laboratory sites and has contracted with a company to evaluate locations at Idaho National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Will VTR create waste?
The proposed activities at VTR would produce small amounts of waste, which are similar to other waste streams that are regularly and proactively managed at DOE sites.
Can VTR be safely and quickly shut down?
Yes, the VTR is a sodium fast-reactor design that will use metallic fuel, which sits in a bath of a liquid metal (sodium) at atmospheric pressure. The design introduces safety features such as gravity and convection that allow passive cooling of the reactor after shutdown.
Will VTR require a lot of water?
VTR’s design does not use water for cooling, so its water usage will be limited to drinking water and plumbing—similar to that of a typical office building.
