In reply to Edmund Storms's message of Tue, 27 May 2008 21:28:58 -0600: Hi, [snip] >Jones, > >After reading the rather poor description on the website, I think this >is only a way to provide chemical heat by converting UH6 to U3O8. No >nuclear reaction is involved or possible. As they say, it is like a >battery that provides energy for a limited time. [snip] See their FAQ:-
"How does Hyperion work? Unlike conventional designs, the proposed reactor is self-regulating through the inherent properties of uranium hydride, which serves as a combination fuel and moderator. The temperature-driven mobility of the hydrogen contained in the hydride controls the nuclear activity. If the core temperature increases over the set point, the hydrogen is driven out of the core, the moderation drops, and the power production decreases. If the temperature drops, the hydrogen returns and the process is reversed. Thus the design is inherently fail-safe and will require minimal human oversight. The compact nature and inherent safety open the possibility for low-cost mass production and operation of the reactors." Regards, Robin van Spaandonk The shrub is a plant.
