In an attempt to allow nuclear power to reach its full economic potential, General Atomics is developing the Energy Multiplier Module (EM2), which is a compact gas-cooled fast reactor (GFR). The EM2 augments its fissile fuel load with fertile materials to enhance an ultra-long fuel cycle based on a “convert-and-burn” core design which converts fertile material to fissile fuel and burns it in situ over a 30-year core life without fuel supplementation or shuffling. A series of reactor physics trade studies were conducted and a baseline core was developed under the specific physics design requirements of the long-life small reactor. The EM2 core performance was assessed for operation time, fuel burnup, excess reactivity, peak power density, uranium utilization, etc., and it was confirmed that an ultra-long fuel cycle core is feasible if the conversion is enough to produce fissile material and maintain criticality, the amount of matrix material is minimized not to soften the neutron spectrum, and the reactor core size is optimized to minimize the neutron loss. This study has shown the feasibility, from the reactor physics standpoint, of a compact GFR that can meet the objectives of ultra-long fuel cycle, factory-fabrication, and excellent fuel utilization. 1. Introduction Nuclear power has much to offer in addressing the nation’s energy security needs in an environmentally acceptable manner. However, today’s nuclear power has its own challenges in the management of nuclear waste from both the front end and back end of the fuel cycle, along with huge upfront financial investment and competing against other energy resources-electricity generation cost. Currently, the most prevailing commercial reactor type is the Light Water Reactor (LWR), and it is expected that the advanced LWR will be introduced in the very near future based on proven technologies [1]. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) predicts that for the longer term the focus will be on innovative designs to provide increased benefits in terms of safety and security, nonproliferation, waste management, resource utilization, and economics, as well as to offer a variety of energy products and flexibility in design, siting, and fuel cycle options [2]. Small reactors are defined as reactors with an equivalent electric output of less than 300？MW. The small modular reactor has been developed since the 1950s when the United States (US) Army and Navy initiated research programs for the design and test of various small nuclear reactors [3]. The Army was interested in producing electricity in
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