Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) Decay Heat Removal Concepts

Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) Decay Heat Removal Concepts PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Current research and development on the Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) has focused on the design of safety systems that will remove the decay heat during accident conditions, ion irradiations of candidate ceramic materials, joining studies of oxide dispersion strengthened alloys; and within the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) the fabrication of carbide fuels and ceramic fuel matrix materials, development of non-halide precursor low density and high density ceramic coatings, and neutron irradiation of candidate ceramic fuel matrix and metallic materials. The vast majority of this work has focused on the reference design for the GFR: a helium-cooled, direct power conversion system that will operate with an outlet temperature of 850oC at 7 MPa. In addition to the work being performed in the United States, seven international partners under the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) have identified their interest in participating in research related to the development of the GFR. These are Euratom (European Commission), France, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Of these, Euratom (including the United Kingdom), France, and Japan have active research activities with respect to the GFR. The research includes GFR design and safety, and fuels/in-core materials/fuel cycle projects. This report is a compilation of work performed on decay heat removal systems for a 2400 MWt GFR during this fiscal year (FY05).

Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) Decay Heat Removal Concepts

Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) Decay Heat Removal Concepts PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Current research and development on the Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) has focused on the design of safety systems that will remove the decay heat during accident conditions, ion irradiations of candidate ceramic materials, joining studies of oxide dispersion strengthened alloys; and within the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) the fabrication of carbide fuels and ceramic fuel matrix materials, development of non-halide precursor low density and high density ceramic coatings, and neutron irradiation of candidate ceramic fuel matrix and metallic materials. The vast majority of this work has focused on the reference design for the GFR: a helium-cooled, direct power conversion system that will operate with an outlet temperature of 850oC at 7 MPa. In addition to the work being performed in the United States, seven international partners under the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) have identified their interest in participating in research related to the development of the GFR. These are Euratom (European Commission), France, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Of these, Euratom (including the United Kingdom), France, and Japan have active research activities with respect to the GFR. The research includes GFR design and safety, and fuels/in-core materials/fuel cycle projects. This report is a compilation of work performed on decay heat removal systems for a 2400 MWt GFR during this fiscal year (FY05).

Gas-cooled Fast Reactor

Gas-cooled Fast Reactor PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Gas cooled reactors
Languages : en
Pages : 1

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Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) FY05 Annual Report

Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) FY05 Annual Report PDF Author: T. Marshall
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The gas-cooled fast reactor (GFR) was chosen as one of the Generation IV nuclear reactor systems to be developed based on its excellent potential for sustainability through reduction of the volume and radio toxicity of both its own fuel and other spent nuclear fuel, and for extending/utilizing uranium resources orders of magnitude beyond what the current open fuel cycle can realize. In addition, energy conversion at high thermal efficiency is possible with the current designs being considered, thus increasing the economic benefit of the GFR. However, research and development challenges include the ability to use passive decay heat removal systems during accident conditions, survivability of fuels and in-core materials under extreme temperatures and radiation, and economical and efficient fuel cycle processes. Nevertheless, the GFR was chosen as one of only six Generation IV systems to be pursued based on its ability to meet the Generation IV goals in sustainability, economics, safety and reliability, proliferation resistance and physical protection. Current research and development on the Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) has focused on the design of safety systems that will remove the decay heat during accident conditions, ion irradiations of candidate ceramic materials, joining studies of oxide dispersion strengthened alloys; and within the Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) the fabrication of carbide fuels and ceramic fuel matrix materials, development of non-halide precursor low density and high density ceramic coatings, and neutron irradiation of candidate ceramic fuel matrix and metallic materials. The vast majority of this work has focused on the reference design for the GFR: a helium-cooled, direct power conversion system that will operate with on outlet temperature of 850 C at 7 MPa. In addition to the work being performed in the United States, seven international partners under the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) have identified their interest in participating in research related to the development of the GFR. These are Euratom (European Commission), France, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Of these, Euratom (including the United Kingdom and Switzerland), France, and Japan have active research activities with respect to the GFR. The research includes GFR design and safety, and fuels/in-core materials/fuel cycle projects. This report outlines the current design status of the GFR, and includes work done in the areas mentioned above for this fiscal year. In addition, this report fulfills the Level 2 milestones, ''Complete annual status report on GFR reactor design'', and ''Complete annual status report on pre-conceptual GFR reactor designs'' in work package GI0401K01. GFR funding for FY05 included FY04 carryover funds, and was comprised of multiple tasks. These tasks involved a consortium of national laboratories and universities, including the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Auburn University (AU), Idaho State University (ISU), and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-M). The total funding for FY05 was $1000K, with FY04 carryover of $174K. The cost breakdown can be seen in Table 1.

Initial Requirements for Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) System Design, Performance, and Safety Analysis Models

Initial Requirements for Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) System Design, Performance, and Safety Analysis Models PDF Author: Kevan D. Weaver
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The gas-cooled fast reactor (GFR) was chosen as one of the Generation IV nuclear reactor systems to be developed based on its excellent potential for sustainability through reduction of the volume and radio toxicity of both its own fuel and other spent nuclear fuel, and for extending/utilizing uranium resources orders of magnitude beyond what the current open fuel cycle can realize. In addition, energy conversion at high thermal efficiency is possible with the current designs being considered, thus increasing the economic benefit of the GFR. However, research and development challenges include the ability to use passive decay heat removal systems during accident conditions, survivability of fuels and in-core materials under extremetemperatures and radiation, and economical and efficient fuel cycle processes. Nevertheless, the GFR was chosen as one of only six Generation IV systems to be pursued based on its ability tomeet the Generation IV goals in sustainability, economics, safety and reliability, proliferation resistance and physical protection.

Improvement of the Decay Heat Removal Characteristics of the Generation IV Gas-cooled Fast Reactor

Improvement of the Decay Heat Removal Characteristics of the Generation IV Gas-cooled Fast Reactor PDF Author: Aaron Simon Epiney
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 249

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An Evaluation of the Gas Cooled Fast Reactor

An Evaluation of the Gas Cooled Fast Reactor PDF Author: U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Division of Reactor Development and Technology
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Gas cooled reactors
Languages : en
Pages : 56

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Supercritical CO2 Direct Cycle Gas Fast Reactor (SC-GFR) Concept

Supercritical CO2 Direct Cycle Gas Fast Reactor (SC-GFR) Concept PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 55

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Book Description
This report describes the supercritical carbon dioxide (S-CO2) direct cycle gas fast reactor (SC-GFR) concept. The SC-GFR reactor concept was developed to determine the feasibility of a right size reactor (RSR) type concept using S-CO2 as the working fluid in a direct cycle fast reactor. Scoping analyses were performed for a 200 to 400 MWth reactor and an S-CO2 Brayton cycle. Although a significant amount of work is still required, this type of reactor concept maintains some potentially significant advantages over ideal gas-cooled systems and liquid metal-cooled systems. The analyses presented in this report show that a relatively small long-life reactor core could be developed that maintains decay heat removal by natural circulation. The concept is based largely on the Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) commercial power plants operated in the United Kingdom and other GFR concepts.

Generation IV Nuclear Energy System Initiative. Large GFR Core Subassemblydesign for the Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor

Generation IV Nuclear Energy System Initiative. Large GFR Core Subassemblydesign for the Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor PDF Author: E. A. Hoffman
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Gas-cooled fast reactor (GFR) designs are being developed to meet Gen IV goals of sustainability, economics, safety and reliability, and proliferation resistance and physical protection as part of an International Generation IV Nuclear Energy System Research Initiative effort. Different organizations are involved in the development of a variety of GFR design concepts. The current analysis has focused on the evaluation of low-pressure drop, pin-core designs with favorable passive cooling properties. Initial evaluation of the passive cooling safety case for the GFR during depressurized decay heat removal accidents with concurrent loss of electric power have resulted in requirements for a reduction of core power density to the 100 w/cc level and a low core pressure drop of 0.5 bars. Additional design constraints and the implementation of their constraints are evaluated in this study to enhance and passive cooling properties of the reactor. Passive cooling is made easier by a flat radial distribution of the decay heat. One goal of this study was to evaluate the radial power distribution and determine to what extent it can be flattened, since the decay heat is nearly proportional to the fission power at shutdown. In line with this investigation of the radial power profile, an assessment was also made of the control rod configuration. The layout provided a large number of control rod locations with a fixed area provided for control rods. The number of control rods was consistent with other fast reactor designs. The adequacy of the available control rod locations was evaluated. Future studies will be needed to optimize the control rod designs and evaluate the shutdown system. The case for low pressure drop core can be improved by the minimization of pressure drop sources such as the number of required fuel spacers in the subassembly design and by the details of the fuel pin design. The fuel pin design is determined by a number of neutronic, thermal-hydraulic (gas dynamics) and fuel performance considerations. For the purposes of this study, the starting point is the fuel pin design established by the CEA-ANL/US I-NERI collaboration project for the selected 2400 MWt large rector option. Structural mechanics factors are now included in the design assessment. In particular, thermal bowing establishes a bound on the minimum of fuel pin spacers required in each fuel subassembly to prevent the local flow channel restrictions and pin-to-pin mechanical interaction. There are also fabrication limitations on the maximum length of SiC fuel pin cladding which can be manufactured. This geometric limitation effects the minimum ceramic clad thickness which can be produced. This ties into the fuel pin heat transfer and temperature thresholds. All these additional design factors were included in the current iteration on the subassembly design to produce a lower core pressure drop. A more detailed definition of the fuel pin/subassembly design is proposed here to meet these limitations. This subassembly design was then evaluated under low pressure natural convection conditions to assess its acceptability for the decay heat removal accidents. A number of integrated decay heat removal (DHR) loop plus core calculations were performed to scope the thermal-hydraulic response of the subassembly design to the accidents of interest. It is evident that there is a large sensitivity to the guard containment back pressure for these designs. The implication of this conclusion and possible design modifications to reduce this sensitivity will be explored under the auspices of the International GENIV GFR collaborative R & D plan. Chapter 2 describes the core reference design for the 2,400 MWt GFR being evaluated. The methodology, modeling, and codes used in the analysis of the fuel pin structural behavior are described in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 provides the result of the thermal-hydraulic study of the assembly design for the accidents of interest. An evaluation of the performance and control rod reactivity control is also presented in Chapter 2.

Improving Fuel Cycle Design and Safety Characteristics of a Gas Cooled Fast Reactor

Improving Fuel Cycle Design and Safety Characteristics of a Gas Cooled Fast Reactor PDF Author: Willem Frederik Geert van Rooijen
Publisher: IOS Press
ISBN: 9781586036966
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 160

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Book Description
The Generation IV Forum is an international nuclear energy research initiative aimed at developing the fourth generation of nuclear reactors, envisaged to enter service halfway the 21st century. One of the Generation IV reactor systems is the Gas Cooled Fast Reactor (GCFR), the subject of study in this thesis. The Generation IV reactor concepts should improve all aspects of nuclear power generation. Within Generation IV, the GCFR concept specifically targets sustainability of nuclear power generation. The Gas Cooled Fast Reactor core power density is high in comparison to other gas cooled reactor concepts. Like all nuclear reactors, the GCFR produces decay heat after shut down, which has to be transported out of the reactor under all circumstances. The layout of the primary system therefore focuses on using natural convection Decay Heat Removal (DHR) where possible, with a large coolant fraction in the core to reduce friction losses.

Core Design and Reactor Physics of a Breed and Burn Gas-cooled Fast Reactor

Core Design and Reactor Physics of a Breed and Burn Gas-cooled Fast Reactor PDF Author: Peter Yarsky
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description
(Cont.) The B & B GFR designs, though requiring active decay heat removal, are semi-self-regulating from a reactivity feedback standpoint and are designed to withstand all plausible accident scenarios, including loss of flow, loss of heat sink, and transient overpower all without scram. Reactor pressure vessel blowdown (LOCA) was investigated and while the B & B GFR has a low positive coolant void reactivity (less than 1$), the added reactivity during blowdown is compensated through other strong negative reactivity feedback mechanisms, thereby allowing for the safe operation of the B & B GFR.