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| Science & Technology |
| Hyperion Reactor. to begin distribution in 2013 |
| 2008-10-08 |
| h/t to Instapundit The Hyperion Power Generation uranium hydride reactor will weigh fifteen to 20 tons, depending on whether you're measuring just the reactor itself or the cask—the container that we [this is the CEO talking] ship it in—as well. It was specifically designed to fit on the back of a flatbed truck because most of our customers are not going to have rail. It's about a meter-and-a-half across and about 2 meters tall. It will generate 27-30 Megawatts of electrical power from 70 MW of thermal power. This means 0.5 to 0.75 tons per MWe for the nuclear reactor. The steam turbine to convert the power is counted separately.... As of September 9, 2008, HPG has ten installation commitments and 50 pending. The first HPG reactors should be ready in 2013. The cost of the reactors will be about $1400/kw. After 5 years, each reactor would have a softball size amount of waste. The uranium hydride reactor can burn up to 50% of the uranium or about ten times more than current reactors. |
| Posted by:mhw |
| #9 I remember the National Guard supplying generators to our neighborhood in 1957, after Hurricane Audrey had done everything it could to leave the area flattened. Yeah, there was no power distribution, but it's amazing how one generator, a nice fat transformer circuit, and about 20 miles of extension cords can cool down refrigerators and freezers, run a load of laundry (drying was outdoors, on a clothesline - not THAT much electricity), etc. It helped out 18-20 families at a time for 1.5 hours, then moved on down the street. It got us through the ten days to two weeks we were without power. This sounds far more capable of providing service in equally as difficult times. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2008-10-08 23:26 |
| #8 Isn't the 21st Century supposed to be the AGE/REVENGE OF TESLA??? |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2008-10-08 19:54 |
| #7 One step closer to Mr. Fusion. |
| Posted by: Iblis 2008-10-08 16:43 |
| #6 It sounds nice w/r to emergency generation and for small towns, ect. There are some cons however that MUST be addressed. Doable but critical. 1. I suspect it is not power that is lacking after a hurricane or tornado but infrastructure (repair required for transmission lines, substations, poles, lines, home electrical, ect.) 2. Security - This IS nuclear material. If it is small enough to be transported it is small enough to be stolen or sabotaged. 3. Maintenance and Operation by user. |
| Posted by: Lionel Jiger8451 2008-10-08 14:27 |
| #5 The high pressure steam plant is going to take more than a flatbed. 30,000HP output tho.... cool. |
| Posted by: .5MT 2008-10-08 13:56 |
| #4 A-moose's idea of emergency use is great. Let the DHS buy a few of these and get them to hurricane hit areas to provide emergency e and H20 Since its an emergency it could be done w/o full NEPA compliance. Then let the enviros scream. |
| Posted by: mhw 2008-10-08 12:36 |
| #3 I am rooting for small nuclear reactors like this. The idea is that if you could mount one on the back of a heavy haul truck, and a powerful high volume reverse osmosis water purification system on another truck, you would be able to provide the electricity and water needs of a large area in an emergency situation. In normal times, they can be used as "emergency back up generators" to isolate a failure in the electrical grid, to prevent things like multi-State blackouts. The most common use would be in peak summer grid loads, which were such a major pain in the butt in the western States some years ago. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2008-10-08 11:31 |
| #2 I want one. By the time it's ready for sale I'll be ready to fill in the swimming pool in the back yard. Perfect fit ... |
| Posted by: Steve White 2008-10-08 11:05 |
| #1 But how soon will it be available at Depot? |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2008-10-08 10:32 |