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NN Asks: What hurdles stand in the way of nuclear power’s global expansion?
Jake Jurewicz
Nuclear technology is mature. It provides firm power at scale with minimal externalities and has done so for decades. The core problem isn’t about the technology—it is how the plants are built. Nuclear construction has a well-documented history of cost and schedule overruns. Previous nuclear plants often spent more than twice what was first budgeted, making nuclear among the power technologies with the largest average cost overruns worldwide.
Recent projects illustrate how severe the problem can be. In South Carolina, the V.C. Summer nuclear expansion saw projected costs rise from roughly $10 billion to more than $25 billion before the project was abandoned in 2017, by which time more than $9 billion had already been spent and customers were stuck paying for a site they have yet to benefit from.
Shekhar Kumar
Nuclear Technology | Volume 210 | Number 11 | November 2024 | Pages 2236-2243
Note | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2024.2309069
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Several empirical equations were available in the literature for density equation for tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP)–bearing mixed organic solutions used in the PUREX/UREX process; however, all most all of the equations were found to have a limited range and a limited number of solutes to be handled. In this work, a robust density equation is proposed in a dimensionally consistent manner. In the proposed equation, TBP is also considered as a solute, rendering the proposed equation valid over a full range of TBP concentrations. The highlights of this technical note include1. Density equation for mixed organic solutions, containing TBP, n-dodecane, and nitrates of heavy metals, is proposed in a dimensionally consistent manner.2. TBP is also considered as a solute, rendering proposed equation valid over 0% to 100% of TBP concentrations.3. The proposed equation is valid for uranium concentrations 0 to 120 g/L in organic phase.4. With a small loss of precision, the same can be used for PUREX solvent loaded with Pu(IV).
1. Density equation for mixed organic solutions, containing TBP, n-dodecane, and nitrates of heavy metals, is proposed in a dimensionally consistent manner.
2. TBP is also considered as a solute, rendering proposed equation valid over 0% to 100% of TBP concentrations.
3. The proposed equation is valid for uranium concentrations 0 to 120 g/L in organic phase.
4. With a small loss of precision, the same can be used for PUREX solvent loaded with Pu(IV).
