The Answer to Climate Change Is Renewable Energy, Not Nuclear Power

[PamW]

11. WRONG!!!

caraher,

The question as to design life centers on the lifetime of the reactor vessel.

There's NO "wear" on a reactor vessel; so what would limit its life.

The answer is neutron embrittlement. When reactors were first designed, and we had very little data, this was an open question.

Some "hypothesized" that the lifetime could be as little as 40 years.

However, it has been apparent for decades that those original estimates were in error; and reactor vessel can last to be 100 years or more.

The rest of the equipment in the plant like steam generators can be REPLACED.

So nuclear power plants are kind of like old World War II airplanes; as long as they are maintained well, they can last.

The reactors don't need "upgrading"; they just aren't getting embrittled as fast as some had estimated.

That's why MANY of our nuclear power plants are on their second term of license. They just have to show the NRC the measurements of neutron flux / embrittlement of the reactor vessel; and the NRC gives another license term if the vessel meets the proper standard, which they ALL have.

PamW