Progress on PRISM, an advanced liquid metal reactor power plant concept for the future

Abstract

The U.S. program for development of an advanced liquid metal reactor (ALMR) is proceeding by a national team under Department of Energy (DOE) sponsorship, with expected utility and international participation. The PRISM reactor concept originated by General Electric, in conjunction with the metal fuel cycle under development by Argonne National Laboratory, has been selected as the reference concept for the ALMR. The design emphasizes passive safety features, modular construction, factory fabrication, capability (when needed) to breed substantially more fissionable material than it consumes, recycle and burning" of actinides to reduce the storage time requirements for long-1 ife, high-level radioactive wastes, and testing of a full-size reactor prototype for design certification and licensing.