Known uranium reserves are sufficient to supply the world's needs for many centuries. The system will be kept economically competitive through a simplified, modular design and standard components that can be mass produced and quickly assembled on site. Modules can be added as an area's economy grows, and several modules can be combined to meet energy needs in nations that are already industrialized. Concern about nuclear proliferation will be reduced by using nuclear fuel cartridges that only need changing every 15 to 30 years. Fuel-handling equipment will be brought to the site only as needed to change cartridges and then removed.
Plans call for fuel to be owned by regional consortia monitored closely by international agencies.
The nuclear chain reaction is driven by neutrons that are emitted from splitting fuel atoms. To maintain the chain reaction, enough of these neutrons must strike more fuel atoms to split them in turn. The reactor core, he said, will sit in a pool of molten lead or tin with an enormous capacity to absorb heat before boiling. Natural convection currents in the pool cause the liquid to flow through the core, cooling it. This simplifies the reactor design and makes it less expensive by eliminating the need for pumps.