Browsing by Subject "Nuclear energy"
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Item Accelerator driven nuclear energy systems(Texas Tech University, 2000-12) Shubov, MikhailIn this work, we discuss the possible uses of accelerator driven nuclear energy systems both for production of energy and isotopes. First, we consider a binary system of an Accelerator Breeder Reactor and a Thermal Bumer Reactor. Then we consider Accelerator Driven Thermal Thorium Reactors. This study indicates that such systems can produce 2 to 15 times the energy, their accelerators consume. The energy gain depends on the type of system used, and the speed with which it bums fuel. Accelerator driven nuclear energy systems can also produce useful isotopes. These systems should also be safer, then modem reactors.Item Modeling energy consumption in the mining and milling of uranium(2010-12) Tavrides, Emily Loree; Schneider, Erich A.; Biegalski, SteveA family of top-down statistical models describing energy consumption in the mining, milling, and refining of uranium are formulated. The purpose of the models is to estimate the energy-to-grade dependence for uranium extraction, while defining a minimum grade that can be feasibly mined and produced. The results serve as a basis for understanding the factors governing energy consumption in the production of U3O8. The models are applied to a considerably larger data set of operating mines than in any previous effort. In addition, the validity of the modeling approach is established by modeling energy for two other commodities, gold and copper, thereby showing it can be applied to other metals. Statistical measures of explanatory power show that the models the energy-to-grade relationship is well-described for both uranium and gold. For copper, there was insufficient data over a broad range of ore grades to obtain a model that passed statistical confidence measures. The results show that mining of lower-grade deposits of uranium is likely to be less energy-intensive than previous investigators concluded. It is shown that the uncertainty in the results is dominated by the contribution of the grade-independent component of energy consumption.Item A real options analysis and comparative cost assessment of nuclear and natural gas applications in the Athabasca oil sands(2010-08) Harvey, Julia Blum, 1982-; Groat, Charles G.; Schneider, Erich; Jablonowski, ChristopherThis report offers a comparative valuation of two bitumen production technologies, using real options analysis (ROA) techniques to incorporate strategic flexibility into the investment scenario. By integrating a probabilistic cost model into a real options framework, the value of an oil recovery facility is modeled to reflect the realistic alternatives available to decision-makers, where the course of the investment can be altered as new information becomes available. This approach represents a distinct advantage to traditional discounted cash flow (DCF) estimation, which is unable to capture operational adaptability, including the ability to expand, delay, or abandon a project. The analysis focuses on the energy inputs required for the recovery of heavy oil bitumen from Alberta, Canada, and examines both natural gas and nuclear steam plants as heat sources. The ACR-1000 reactor is highlighted as a substitute for conventional natural gas-fueled means of production, in light of the recent volatility of natural gas prices and the potential for emissions compliance charges. The methodology includes a levelized cost assessment per barrel of bitumen and estimation of cost ranges for each component. A mean-reversion stochastic price model was also derived for the both natural gas and oil price. By incorporating cost ranges into a ROA framework, the benefit of retaining project flexibility is included in its valuation. Formulated as a decision tree, built-in options include the initial selection to pursue nuclear or natural gas, site selection and licensing, the ability to switch heat source in the planning stage, and the final commitment to construct. Each decision is influenced by uncertainties, including the course of bitumen and natural gas price, as well as emissions policy. By structuring the investment scenario to include these options, the overall value of the project increases by over $150 million. The ability to switch technology type allows for an assessment of the viability of nuclear steam, which becomes economically favorable given high natural gas prices or high emissions taxes. Given an initial selection of natural gas SAGD, there is a 25% probability that a switch to nuclear steam will occur, as evolving financial conditions make nuclear the optimal technology.Item The Lone Star and the atom: nuclear energy in Texas, 1945-1993(Texas Tech University, 2002-08) Walker, Todd M.Nuclear energy, since its inception in 1945, has been one the United States' most controversial technologies. Even before the well-publicized incidences at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, nuclear projects encountered a variety of problems and obstacles that decreased their cost-effectiveness. Nuclear power, as time progressed, transformed from a possible answer to the world's energy needs into an economic, social, and political nightmare for many people and regions. The experience of Texas with nuclear energy was no different. This dissertation is the first in-depth study of the development of nuclear power in the Lone Star State. In Texas, utilities did not implement nuclear power until the early 1970s, much later than in many other areas of the country. Because of the state's abundant natural resources, utilities did not foresee an immediate need for alternative energy. The increases in energy requirements in the 1960s created a sudden surge in interest in nuclear power. Texas utilities rushed to develop nuclear projects, but, in doing so, failed to consider many of the unique characteristics of nuclear power. Utilities completed two nuclear projects in Texas: the Comanche Peak Steam Electric Station, near Fort Worth and owned by Texas Utilities, Inc., and the South Texas Project, near Houston and owned by the partnership of Houston Lighting & Power, Central Power & Light, and the cities of San Antonio and Austin. Both projects encountered lengthy delays and tremendous cost overruns. Anti-nuclear activists, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and consumer advocates opposed the projects because of safety and financial concerns. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued numerous citations and fines against the projects and, in both cases, came near to canceling the troubled projects. Despite the problems, the owners of Comanche Peak and South Texas persisted in their attempts to implement nuclear power. By the time the projects reached completion, nuclear energy was, however, no longer cost effective nor considered safe by many citizens. After nearly twenty years of construction and licensing, the two nuclear facilities were two of the costliest plants in American history.Item Uranium extraction from seawater : an assessment of cost, uncertainty and policy implications(2011-08) Sachde, Darshan Jitendra; Schneider, Erich A.; Liljestrand, Howard M. (Howard Michael); Rai, VarunTechnology to recover uranium from seawater may act as a potential backstop on the production cost of uranium in a growing international nuclear industry. Convincing proof of the existence of an effective expected upper limit on the resource price would have a strong effect on decisions relating to deployment of uranium resource consuming reactor technologies. This evaluation proceeds from a review of backstop technologies to detailed analyses of the production cost of uranium extraction via an amidoxime braid adsorbent system developed by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). An independent cost assessment of the braid adsorbent system is developed to reflect a project implemented in the United States. The cost assessment is evaluated as a life cycle discounted cash flow model to account for the time value of money and time-dependent performance parameters. In addition, the cost assessment includes uncertainty propagation to provide a probabilistic range of uranium production costs for the braid adsorbent system. Results reveal that uncertainty in adsorbent performance (specifically, adsorption capacity, kg U/tonne adsorbent) is the dominant contributor to overall uncertainty in uranium production costs. Further sensitivity analyses reveal adsorbent capacity, degradation and production costs as key system cost drivers. Optimization of adsorbent performance via alternate production or elution pathways provides an opportunity to significantly reduce uranium production costs. Finally, quantification of uncertainty in production costs is a primary policy objective of the analysis. Continuing investment in this technology as a viable backstop requires the ability to assess cost and benefits while incorporating risk.