Question

Assume that a decision is made to start ordering reactors at a constant rate per year from 1990 until 2030, at which time orders will stop, so that all known uranium reserves of 2.3 million tons (with price up to $260/kg U) will be used up. Assume:

• All plants are identical and need 150 tons of natural uranium per year.

• It takes 10 years to build a plant. • There are 120 plants operating in 1990.

• Reactors operating in 1990 start retiring in 2000, at the rate of 10/y. For these reactors, consider their needs only after 1990.

Calculate how many reactors per year could be ordered and the maximum number of reactors operating at any single time.

Answer 1