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A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF A PRESSURIZED-WATER PACKAGE POWER REACTOR

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4329355· OSTI ID:4329355

This conceptual design study describes a reactor and associated power plant that has been designed to produce 1000 kw of net electric power and 3535 kw of steam for heating purposes. The total thermal output of the reactor is 10,000 kw. The fuel plates consist of highly enriched UO/sub 2/ imbedded in a matrix of stainless steel and clad on all sides with stainless steel. The core is cooled and moderated with circulating light water, pressurized to 1200 psia. Saturated steam, produced in the heat exchanger at 200 psia, is used to drive a turbogenerator. Steam from the heat exchanger is also used, at a reduced pressure, for space heating. The reactor is loaded with approximately 18 kg of U/ sup 235/ and will supply 15 Mw-yr of energy before refueling is required. This corresponds to 2.5 years of operation at an average load factor of 60%. Burnout poison in the form of B/sub 4/C is incorporated to reduce the reactivity excursion and thus facilitate control. The major objective has been to design a reactor which will require a minimum of development effort and yet be reliable and inexpensive. The estimated capital investment, exclusive of uranium, is 703,000. The estimated cost per kilowatt-hour for net electric and steam power at the bus, based on a 60% average load demand is 5.33 cents and 1.23 cents, respectively. (auth)

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
NSA Number:
NSA-12-001098
OSTI ID:
4329355
Report Number(s):
ORNL-1613(Rev.(Del.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English