Used reactors provide the same process functionality as new units, but are typically less expensive and can be purchased in a shorter time. They can also be found in various sizes and performance specifications.

The AGR reactor is a gas-cooled reactor with graphite moderator and carbon dioxide coolant. It uses uranium oxide fuel pellets that are loaded into long zirconium alloy tubes. It can be refueled while on-load.

Reactor Types

Reactors are specialized equipment that help industries produce pharmaceuticals, polymers, chemicals and more. These vessels feature strong glass walls that allow for powerful reactions of substances. In addition, these containers are designed to withstand a high level of pressure and temperature.

Reaction kinetics and process requirements must be carefully considered before selecting the best reactor type for your application. A good place to start is with a basic understanding of the different types of reactors, including batch reactors, continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR), packed bed reactors, and plug flow reactors (PFR).

The type of reactor you select should be able to handle the temperature, pressure, and chemical compatibility of your reaction. It should also have a suitable heat transfer mechanism to maintain your desired operating temperature and minimize energy losses during the heating or cooling process. Additionally, it should be equipped with safety features such as rupture disks and interlock systems to prevent overpressure and explosions visit here .

Reactor Applications

Several different types of reactors are used in industry depending on the chemical processes and reactions involved. These include batch reactors, continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR), plug flow reactors, and fluidized bed reactors.

Industrial reactors can be small enough to fit into a laboratory, or they can be as large as the vast structures that are depicted in photographs of industrial plants. The choice of reactor depends on the reaction kinetics, heat transfer requirements and production scale desired.

Process reactors are commonly used in commercial production for applications like mixing of products, solids dissolution, liquid extraction, batch distillation, crystallization, and chemical reactions. They typically consist of agitator and a provision to apply utilities to heat or cool the reaction mass. Various access options are available to enable easy observation of the process and prevent accidents. They also feature jackets and insulation to maintain temperatures. Aaron Equipment offers many different types of industrial reactors to suit the needs of different companies.

Reactor Maintenance

The reactors themselves require careful maintenance to function correctly. They must be inspected, maintained and upgraded regularly. The NRC inspects research and test reactors to verify they operate safely and efficiently. They also monitor facility security and provide coordination with law enforcement to report possible sabotage or theft of radioactive materials.

During shutdown, nuclear fuel continues to produce decay heat that must be removed. A system of pipes filled with heavy water – a rare type of water that is 10% heavier than normal water and contains deuterium – is used to remove this waste decay heat. The water is pumped through the reactor core and converted into steam to run the turbines that generate electricity.

Reprocessing, or hydrometallurgical reprocessing, has been taking place since the 1940s. This is to recover plutonium for use in weapons (from low burn-up used nuclear fuel). The reprocessing process uses a series of chemical and physical steps to convert the uranium into its short-lived fission products.

Reactor Costs

Nuclear power is a great way to get clean energy, but significant upfront capital costs are an obstacle. And the cost of building new reactors is escalating rapidly. For example, in the 1960s, US nuclear plants built by Commonwealth Edison cost $146 to $280 per kilowatt of electric output. In 2009, those same nuclear plants could cost up to $10 billion apiece.

The costs of designing and building large nuclear reactors are also escalating due to stricter safety regulations and other changes imposed following the Fukushima disaster. This has led to a huge jump in the estimated price of a twin 1100 MWe AP1000 reactor, from $55/MWh in mid 2008 to $89/MWh in 2020.

A solution may be small modular reactors, designed to be built mainly in factory conditions and then transported to the plant site for installation. This would improve construction efficiency and reduce the capital costs of the reactor. However, these smaller reactors would have to be financed primarily by ratepayers.