The First Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Was Just Approved by US Regulators

Re:The First Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Was Just Approved... by vfclists on Saturday August 06, 2022 @08:01PM (#32372685)

And how much raw material needs to be mined and processed to manufacture those rare minerals that generate the power?

Have you accounted for the recycling of uranium? Only a minuscule amount of the energy in fission material goes to generate power and what is left can be recycled over and over again until it is fully "spent".

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Re:The First Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Was Just Approved... by Retric on Sunday August 07, 2022 @12:32AM (#32373924)

Exact numbers depend on panel technology, but if you really want to get into the recycling argument stuff that isn’t consumed to generate power is obviously a net win over nuclear fuel. Reprocessing doesn't let you create energy from nothing while solar does let you create energy from material inside the sun.

In term of mining, look at all the material needed to construct and maintain a nuclear powerplant. A significant portion of why nuclear is so expensive is all the stuff needed to build and maintain one.

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Re:The First Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Was Just Approved... by natmaka on Sunday August 07, 2022 @10:36AM (#32376796)

There is not a single industrial adequate recycling reactor, after 70 years of intensive R&D. Can you name one?

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