Monju (fast breeder reactor) costs far surpass usual nukes

[kristopher]

10,000 yen is about $125.

Trouble-prone reactor has rung up far higher tab than initially planned
Kyodo

If the troubled Monju prototype fast breeder reactor project continues, its costs will swell to more than ¥1.4 trillion and its power generation costs will be ¥10,000 per kwh, roughly 1,000 times greater than a regular reactor, according to data compiled by Kyodo News.

Construction of the reactor in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, started in 1985 as part of the government's goal to establish a nuclear fuel cycle to make use of spent nuclear fuel at conventional atomic plants that run on uranium. Monju uses a uranium and plutonium mix known as MOX as fuel.

The facility operated by the government-affiliated Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corp. first reached criticality — where a chain reaction of nuclear fission is sustained — in 1994.

But sodium, used as a coolant, leaked during its test run in December 1995. Around 640 kg of leaked sodium reacted with air and sparked a fire, forcing a prolonged suspension.

The operator was also caught trying to cover the incident up...

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120704f1.html#.T_SQC458vdk

[bananas]

1. "roughly 1,000 times greater than a regular reactor"

Wow!

[madokie]

2. Totally, completely 100% insane to still be on this nuclear path,

Its stupid. ignorant and slowing down every effort to do something better. As long as nuclear is in the mix not much else can get done. It sucks all the air out of the room. All the while the world is warming up in leaps and bounds and nuclear is not going to change that. In fact if the big picture is looked at we're where we are because of it.