Reactor Physics Overview of the Xe-100 GEN IV Reactor
Abstract: I intend to provide a short, high-level overview of X-energy and its offerings in terms of fuel and reactors. In the second part to my talk I would like to give a high-level technology overview. In particular the physics codes under development for designing pebble bed high temperature gas-cooled reactors will be discussed. The differences in the application of the physics between the Xe-100 and typical LWRs will be highlighted. Examples will be provided of analyses performed of the operational states and control measures to add insight into the Xe-100 design considerations.
Bio: As X-energy’s Chief Nuclear Officer, Eben Mulder, PhD, leads development of X-energy’s pebble bed high-temperature gas reactor (HTGR) technology. In this executive leadership role, he serves as overall lead for the project, guiding the architectural framework for the Xe-100 reactor project, the R&D roadmap for advanced fuel-cycle designs, core thermal-hydraulic flow path design, and reactivity control and shutdown layout and design. His duties extend to overseeing techno-economical coherence of the overall design consideration.
An expert in nuclear reactor design, Eben has authored more than 30 technical papers and presented more than 55 keynote addresses and invited talks worldwide. Before joining X-energy, Eben was CEO and Director of Steenkampskraal Thorium Ltd. (Centurion, South Africa), responsible for the oversight of advanced small pebble bed high-temperature reactors and advanced fuel cycle designs. Prior to that, Eben was Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Nuclear Consultant at PBMR (Pty) Ltd., South Africa’s clean technology Pebble Bed Modular Reactor program.
He has also served as Professor in Northwest University’s (Potchefstroom, South Africa) School of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, and has presented numerous international short courses. Eben holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in mathematics from the University of Port Elizabeth (South Africa) and a BS in Applied Mathematics from University of Pretoria (South Africa), and a Doctor of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering from Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (Aachen, Germany).
He is a member of the South African Council for Natural Scientists (SACNAS), an affiliate member of the Institution of Nuclear Engineers, a Member of the American Nuclear Society (ANS), and an elected member of the South African Academy of Sciences and Art.
