How safe is liquid sodium?

Problem: conventional reactors are cooled by light or heavy water , but FBRs are cooled by liquid sodium, which is inherently dangerous. Liquid sodium reacts explosively with both air and water. Hence, even a tiny leak of sodium coolant can cause a fire.

What is liquid sodium?

Liquid sodium metal Elemental sodium (Na) is a liquid metal like mercury and solder. Liquid sodium metal looks almost exactly like mercury (photo is actually mercury, from Medvedev) Sodium metal is used as a low-pressure coolant. It transfers heat extremely well and can keep a core cool without external power.

How is liquid sodium made?

Sodium is now produced commercially through the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride, based on a process patented in 1924. This is done in a Downs cell in which the NaCl is mixed with calcium chloride to lower the melting point below 700 °C.

Does liquid sodium react with water?

Generally, elemental sodium is more reactive than lithium, and it reacts with water to form a strong base, sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

Is pure sodium toxic?

Sodium is essential to human health, but too much sodium is poisonous. Sodium poisoning can cause seizures, coma, and death.

How hot is liquid sodium?

Sodium is a well-known low-melting-point (97.7°C) alkali metal, which has the main advantages of high thermal conductivity and low neutron absorption cross-section. Also, the relatively high boiling point (882.8°C) of sodium allows a reactor to operate at pressures close to ~ 0.1 MPa.

What is the safest nuclear power plant design?

SMRs are a slimmed-down version of conventional fission reactors. Although they produce far less power, their smaller size and use of off-the-shelf components help reduce costs. These reactors are designed to be safer than traditional water-cooled reactors, using coolants such as liquid sodium or molten salts instead.

Is there safe nuclear power?

The use of nuclear energy for electricity generation can be considered extremely safe. Every year several hundred people die in coal mines to provide this widely used fuel for electricity. There are also significant health and environmental effects arising from fossil fuel use.