Aurora is an innovative microreactor designed specifically for operation in remote regions where the winter months can be long and harsh, often negatively impacting the well-being of residents. Oklo sees in its project an opportunity to create a place that – thanks to its warmth, energy and cozy atmosphere – it will serve local communities as a center of integration and entertainment.
The Aurora reactor uses an innovative approach to nuclear fuel, which involves using nuclear materials that have already been used, thus significantly reducing the amount of nuclear waste. Oklo ensures that this technology is completely safe and thanks to fuel recycling, its microreactor emits virtually no greenhouse gases or generates new radioactive waste.
Aurora is a small reactor with a capacity of only 1.5 MW – enough to power approximately 1,000 households under optimal conditions. The reactor has a built-in “fire-and-forget” safety mechanism, which means that its core is sealed and does not require regular maintenance. No moving parts the microreactor can operate continuously for up to 20 years, after which the entire core is replaced.
Thanks to the design enabling automatic cooling and stopping the process without human intervention, the microreactor is characterized by a high level of safety. Instead of the traditional, slow neutron moderation process used in large reactors, Aurora uses highly enriched uranium-235, which enables a fast nuclear reaction while maintaining stability and high efficiency.
One of the key elements of Aurora is the ability to use heat generated by nuclear reactions, which increases energy efficiency by up to 90 percent. Waste heat can be used in various ways: to heat nearby buildings, desalinate seawater or support industrial production processes. This opens up possibilities for the efficient use of nuclear energy in difficult climatic conditions or in isolated communities.
The building in which Aurora is to be located is far from the traditional image of a nuclear power plant. Instead of tall cooling towers and concrete structures, the building’s design refers to a mountain shelter – a simple A-type shape with solar panels on the roof.that power monitoring and control systems. Thanks to this structure, the facility becomes almost completely energy self-sufficient and fits well into the landscape.
Oklo plans to install its first Aurora microreactor near the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) west of Idaho Falls. In 2020, INL granted Oklu access to five tons of spent nuclear fuel, which will be recycled and used in the first operational microreactor.
Before being used in the microreactor, the fuel will be purified in a salt bath and then processed into small, circular inserts. Launch of the first commercial Aurora unit is planned for 2027. The US Department of Energy has just approved the design of an installation that will produce fuel for Oklo microreactors.
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Source: geekweek.interia.pl
