Sodium Coolant
Sodium coolant is a type of liquid metal used in some nuclear reactors, particularly in fast breeder reactors. It is effective at transferring heat due to its high thermal conductivity and can operate at high temperatures without becoming gaseous. This property allows for efficient energy production while maintaining safety.
One of the main advantages of sodium coolant is its ability to remain liquid at lower pressures compared to water, reducing the risk of pressure-related accidents. However, sodium is highly reactive with water and air, which requires careful handling and specific design considerations in systems like the Sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR).