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The liquid uranium trichloride can be the next-generation nuclear fuel source.


"In this illustration, neutrons produced at the Spallation Neutron Source, SNS (purple dots) scatter off molten liquid uranium trichloride UCl3, depicted in green, revealing its atomic structure. Yellow and white globs (simulated data) represent the oscillating UCI3 bonds. Credit: Alex Ivanov/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy" (ScitechDaily, Hotter Than Lava: The Surprising Science of Molten Uranium)


 The molten uranium is a hazardous material. The molten uranium is hotter than lava. And that's why reactor overheating is one of the biggest problems with nuclear reactors. If the reactor uses water as a cooler there must not be any air in the water tube 

Or water boils into the vapor.  In those reactors, the water is so high pressure, that it cannot boil. And if there is some leak in the water cycle the reactor can melt. Another problem is this: water slows neutrons. And if somebody tries to cool down the reactor using water. That causes acceleration in the fission reaction. 

But it's possible to replace water using some molten metals like lead, sodium, and tin. The molten metals like sodium have a problem that if water impacts with sodium it causes fire. However, one of the most promising coolants in nuclear reactors is molten salt. There are more chemical compounds than only sodium chloride. And the newest offender is the high-temperature liquid uranium trichloride (UCl3) salt. The molten salt requires a lower temperature than pressurized water reactors. And that decreases stress in the coolant system. 

The new miniature nuclear reactors require safe and trusted coolant systems. Another thing that those reactors need is a trusted emergency stop. The system must drop so much radioactive material out from the fission core, that the reactor shuts down. Those miniature reactors can have very much power. Even if they are small. 



Above and below: Artist's views of miniature nuclear plant (Pinterest and Medium)




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In those miniature nuclear plants safety is the primary value. it's possible that when the reactor used its fuel. The service crew changes the entire reactor. The reactor will be transported to the plant fully equipped and loaded entirety. There must be electronics and servo systems as well as fuel in the tank. So the service crew must only connect wires to the reactor. And the AI-based computer programs see how that system operates. 

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The nuclear material in those reactors can be highly enriched uranium or plutonium. The miniature and mobile nuclear reactors are suitable for space stations and spacecraft that travel around the solar system. The military might want to use those systems for submarines and other nuclear-powered military tools. Things like directed energy weapons and advanced communication tools require lots of electric power.  

Those miniature nuclear reactors can also replace big central platforms. The networked solutions are more resistant to damage. Destruction or malfunction of one nuclear reactor doesn't affect the entire network. The miniature reactors may be transported as full-loaded packages with fuel and electronic components to the miniature nuclear plant. the same reactors can give power to ships and maybe even to airplanes and land vehicles. And then the service crew changes in the entire reactor when the system requires service. The reactor will be loaded in highly secured underground facilities. 


https://medium.com/swlh/different-small-modular-reactor-designs-1955e574c36

https://scitechdaily.com/hotter-than-lava-the-surprising-science-of-molten-uranium/

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