Passive emergency heat rejection concepts for CANDU reactors
A study is in progress at AECL to assess the safety and capital cost implications of a more extensive use of passive design features in CANDU reactors. The study is focussed on emergency heat rejection and applies passive design principles to enhance the independence of core cooling via the moderator, as distinct from core cooling via the emergency coolant injection system. Emergency heat rejection from the moderator and from containment is integrated via a water jacket formed in part by the cylindrical wall of a steel containment vessel. The water jacket acts as an interim heat sink and ultimately transfers its heat to the outside air. The design as described here uses an advance in fuel channel design that enables the moderator to act as a heat sink even at zero subcooling. This provides the option of passive moderator heat rejection during normal operation, and facilitates the design of passive moderator heat rejection during accidents. With two diverse and redundant emergency core cooling systems, core melt frequency is reduced to an insignificant level.
- OSTI ID:
- 182016
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940501--
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Journal Issue: Suppl.1 Vol. 70; ISSN 0003-018X; ISSN TANSAO
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Passive emergency heat rejection concepts for CANDU reactors
A passive emergency heat sink for water cooled reactors with particular application to CANDU{reg_sign} reactors