Is That a Miniature Nuclear Reactor in Your Pocket or Are You Just Happy to See Me?
Is That a Miniature Nuclear Reactor in Your Pocket or Are You Just Happy to See Me?
Posted 11/11/2008 at 4:25pm
| by Andy Salisbury
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Arizona-based Hyperion Power Generation is looking to take what was once a mammoth-sized power generator and shrink it down to a fraction of that size, thanks to some technology licensed from the U.S. government. They call it the Hyperion Hydride Reactor.
The Hyperion Hydride Reactor is a self-operating nuclear powered reactor that will output 27MW of power (enough to power 20,000 homes), won’t have any movable parts, will be self-operating and other than refueling, won’t require any maintenance. And unlike normal nuclear reactors, the need for water-cooling has be eliminated. This gives it the unique option to be placed anywhere.
According to Hyperion’s CEO, John Deal, their goal is “…to generate electricity for 10 cents a watt anywhere in the world.” And with the technology behind it, they’ve even managed to garner interest from the oil and electricity industries, as well as developing nations.
The reactor’s uranium hydride core is surrounded by hydrogen gas will only need to be refueled every 7-10 years. Other than that, it will remain completely undisturbed.
Image Credit: Hyperion Power Generation
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Teknobenji
November 16, 2008 at 3:13pm
It IS the Flux Capacitor that makes time travel possible...I am sure Google has a patent on an offshore version already..
Talcum X
November 12, 2008 at 10:26am
They can make it even smaller to run electric cars. each car with it's own nuclear reactor, "Mr. Fusion", All it needs to go is 88mph.
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bloodgain
November 12, 2008 at 7:58am
I am very open-minded, hopeful, and amazed almost daily at the advances of science and technology. I'm afraid this still falls under the category of "I'll believe it when I see the results." Something about this sounds a little too perfect.
Tekzel
November 12, 2008 at 7:48am
Frankly, I think its vaporware. This is still a fission power plant, and those things are dangerous. Now, when they get fusion working, I could see something like that since they will be MUCH safer.
However, I have to say that name is cool as hell. Hyperion Hydride Reactor. Sounds like something out of science fiction. Damn! I need to go adjust the power output on my HHR unit.
c8503
November 12, 2008 at 7:48am
seriously guys... watts? need for water cooling has be eliminated?
to quote a gaming friend of mine: "You all up in the kool-aid and don't know the flava"
jcollins
November 11, 2008 at 6:37pm
There's something similar that's trying to be worked on in an Alaskan town. There were several issues last I heard. 1) They used liquid sodium for cooling. A bit hazard if there's a leak. 2) The US govt wouldn't let them have it without the same security as a larger nuclear power plant, which means armed guards 24x7, etc. So it wouldn't work costwise. I wonder how these guys have gotten around that?
zodi
November 11, 2008 at 6:24pm
Always cool until something goes wrong. Not saying it will but it might.
Keith E. Whisman
November 11, 2008 at 5:15pm
Are you sure that's 10cents per Watt and not per MegaWatt or KiloWatt? A Watt is such a small amount. I pay about 10cents per Kilowatt in my appartment and my monthly bill is about $100bucks. If it were 10cents per watt it would be a hell of a lot more money. Alot more. So that has to be wrong.
wolf17
November 11, 2008 at 5:05pm
This sounds pretty cool, as long as they can make it safe it could be a great tool in our world of ever increasing power needs!
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