SSTAR

SSTAR is an acronym for the "small, sealed, transportable, autonomous reactor" - being primarily researched and developed in the US by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. It is intended as a fast breeder reactor that is tamper resistant, passively safe, has a self-contained fuel source of Uranium-238 and an operative life of 30 years, which provides a constant power source between 10 and 100 megawatts.

Related Topics:
Reactor - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory - Fast breeder - Tamper resistant - Passively safe - Megawatts

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The 100 megawatt version is expected to be 15 meters high by 3 meters wide, and weigh 500 tonnes. A 10 megawatt version is expected to weigh less than 200 tonnes. To obtain the desired 30 year life span, the design calls for a moveable neutron reflector to be placed over a column of fuel. The reflector's slow downward travel over the column would cause the fuel to be burned from the top of the column to the bottom. Because the unit will be sealed, it is expected that a breeder reaction will be used to further extend the life of the fuel.

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Currently, no prototypes for SSTARs exist - one is expected by 2015, and they are being researched as the primary replacement for today's light water reactors.

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