China to Pioneer Melt-Down Proof Reactors

pease1 writes "FT.com reports China is poised to develop the world's first commercially operated "pebble bed" nuclear reactor. If successfully commercialized, the pebble bed reactor would be the first radically new reactor design for several decades. It would push China to the forefront of development of a technology that researchers claim offers a new "meltdown-proof" alternative to standard water-cooled nuclear power stations." This was mentioned in September of last year but now looks as though the plan is moving forward.

Comments

China's rise to power

[GuyMannDude]

Somedays I'm convinced that China will become the sole economic superpower in the world in our lifetime. The US may still have a powerful military decades from now but it really looks like the Chinese want success more than we do. The fact that they are moving ahead with nuclear power is an example. Here in the US, you just can't get any kind of nuclear power plant built. We continue to use rediculous amounts of electricity but resist any attempts at becoming self-sufficient. The Chinese are hungry to improve their country while we Americans have become complacent and feel like we will always be on top. Once our debt gets to the point that other countries will no longer invest in us, we'll sink like a stone and China will take over (economically). They just want success more than we do.

GMD

What ever happened to Integral Fast Reactors?

[Nova Express]

Whatever happened to "Integral Fast Reactors" I heard about in the late 1980s, which were also supposed to be meltdown-proof? My understanding was that the configuration of the rods was such that if the reaction moved beyond a certain range, it actually dapened the reaction. (I'm relying on memory, and Google is of limited help, so forgive me for being fuzzy on the details.)