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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Core design of supercritical-pressure light water reactor

Conference ·
OSTI ID:248155
; ;  [1]
  1. Tokyo Electric Co., Yokohama (Japan). Nuclear Power R and D Center; and others

A large improvement in thermal efficiency can be achieved in a Light Water Reactor (LWR) by using the supercritical-pressure thermal cycle concept. No boiling or phase transition occurs above the critical pressure condition, which leads to a substantial simplification of the system by eliminating the steam separator, the dryers and the steam Generators in a direct cycle. In this feasibility study, the Supercritical-Pressure Light Water Reactor (SCLWR) was analyzed with reference to the experience of conventional LWRs. The main results of fuel, the core, the control rod, the core internals and the reactor vessel designs are presented in this report. The thermal hydraulic design which uses an accurate flow distribution to achieve a high thermal efficiency has been also analyzed. Finally, based on the present results, recommendations have been made for future work.

OSTI ID:
248155
Report Number(s):
CONF-960306--; ISBN 0-7918-1226-X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English