PROBLEM 1.1 QUESTION

Chapter 1 Principal Characteristics of Power Reactors Contents Problem 1.1 Worldwide Utilization of Power Reactor Technology .................................... 6 5 rev 112420 Solutions Manual for Nuclear Systems Volume I Thermal Hydraulic Fundamentals, 3e by Neil Todreas, Mujid Kazimi (All Chapters) 1 / 4

Chapter 1 - Principal Characteristics of Power Reactors

PROBLEM 1.1 QUESTION

World Utilization of Power Reactor Technology

1. For each position of Table 1.13 identify:

(a) The principal technical reason for which this moderator-coolant combination cannot be exploited, and (b) The name of one (or more) terrestrial power reactor plants that have been built using this combination.

TABLE 1.13

Worldwide Utilization of Power Reactor Technology - Thermal Reactor Types Moderators Coolant Light water Heavy water Organic HB-40 Santowax-OM Gas hydrogen, nitrogen, CO ₂, helium Liquid metal Pressurized Boiling Pressurized Boiling NaK Na Light water

Heavy water Vessel

Tube

Graphite

Beryllium

Organic

References for thermal reactor types:

• List of operational nuclear power plants. Nucl. News, August 1992.
• Dietrich, J. R. and Zinn, W. H.

Solid Fuel Reactors, Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Pub. Co., 1958.

3.Directory of Nuclear Reactors, Vienna: International Atomic Energy Commission, published annually.

• Kuljian, H. A.

Nuclear Power Plant Design, Cranbury, NJ: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1968.

• Meserve, R., Chairman,

Safety Issues at the Defense Production Reactors: A Report to the U.S. Department of Energy, National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 1987.

• Zinn, W. H., Pittman, F. K. and Hogerton, J. F.

Nuclear Power, USA, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, 1964. 6 rev 112420 2 / 4

Chapter 1 - Principal Characteristics of Power Reactors

• Which of these combinations would be best for submarine propulsion? Explain your choice.
• State the single most important power cycle parameter affecting the cycle thermal efficiency.
• Compare the primary side pressures of a PWR, a BWR and a MSR. Describe the reason for

primary side pressure of the PWR being about twice the BWR and the advantage of MSR primary side pressure being close to atmospheric.

• Comparing the core of a BWR with that of a PWR, explain the reason a BWR is considered a

closed and a PWR an open core design.

• Explain the reason that alloys of zirconium are used for fuel cladding.
• Compare the number of coolant loops and fluids used in a BWR with those of a LMFR -

describe the reason for the differences, if any.

• What is the key difference in the VVER design from other LWR designs?
• How do you classify a LFR with respect to neutron spectrum and thermal efficiency as

compared with the SFR?

• Describe the key difference with respect to core coolant circulation between NuScale and a

typical LWR.

PROBLEM 1.1 SOLUTION

World Utilization of Power Reactor Technology Question 1 Note: Descriptions are made with (coolant type) – (moderator). The following notes are keyed to Table 1.13 A

Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR). Used by:

– USA

– France – Germany – Former USSR B

Boiling Water Reactor (BWR), Used by:

– USA

– Germany 7 rev 112420 3 / 4

Chapter 1 - Principal Characteristics of Power Reactors

– Sweden C Press. Heavy Water Heavy Water Vessel – AGESTA (Sweden) – R - 3/ ADAM (Sweden) – ATUCHA (Argentina) – MZFR (Germany) – BRUCE 1-8 (Canada)

– CP - 5 (USA)

– NPD -2 (USA)

D Boiling Heavy Water - Heavy Water Vessel – MARVIKEN (Sweden) – HALDEN BWR (Norway) – ATUCHA 2 (Argentina) E Press. Light Water Heavy Water Tube – NRX (Canada) – GENKILLY 2 (Canada)

– SGHRW

– CIRUS/TROMBAY (India) F Boiling Light Water Heavy Water Tube – CIRENE (Italy) – BLW 250 (Canada) – FUGEN (Japan) – VENUS (Belgium) G Press. Heavy Water - Heavy Water Tube – CANDU (Canada) – PRTR (Canada) – CVTR (Canada) – NPD (Canada) 8 rev 112420

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