France has a strong nuclear culture and supply chain, from turning uranium into fuel to making turbines. But other places are moving quickly, and there are already Chinese and American demonstrators in operation or being built.
Stellarium: Competing with Global Giants
Stellarium will have to be more than just safe and small; it will also have to be able to compete with American, Chinese, and Canadian companies.
Why Industrial Heat is Such a Big Mystery for the Climate
People often talk about electricity, but a lot of pollution comes from heat used in factories. Steel, cement, glass, and chemicals all need very high temperatures, usually over 400°C. These temperatures come mostly from burning fossil fuels on site.
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The Future of Industrial Heat Decarbonization
It can be hard or not worth it to fully electrify these processes. SMRs that are made to be local heat sources are another option. They don’t electrify everything; instead, they directly decarbonize the heat while keeping most of the current industrial layouts the same.
Risks, Benefits, and Acceptance in Local Communities
Every reactor has its own set of problems. Waste management is still a big problem. Even if molten-salt designs can, in theory, recycle more fuel and make less long-lived waste, they still make radioactive by-products that need to be handled and stored safely.
| Feature | Stellarium | Traditional Reactors |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Reactor | Molten Salt | Pressurized Water |
| Power Output | 40 MW Thermal | 1000+ MW |
| Coolant | Molten Salt | Water |
| Safety Features | Intrinsic/Passive | Active Systems |
Stellarium’s Vision for Clean Industrial Heat
The main project called Stellarium is a Generation IV reactor that operates with fast neutrons & molten salts. Traditional reactors use solid fuel rods that are placed in pressurized water. Stellarium works differently because the nuclear fuel is mixed directly into a bath of molten salt.
