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
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Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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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.

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.

Gas-cooled Fast Reactor

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

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A Study of a Gas-cooled Fast Breeder Reactor

A Study of a Gas-cooled Fast Breeder Reactor PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Breeder reactors
Languages : en
Pages : 274

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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
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ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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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.

An Evaluation of Gas-cooled Fast Reactor

An Evaluation of Gas-cooled Fast Reactor PDF Author: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
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ISBN:
Category : Breeder reactors
Languages : en
Pages : 260

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Gas-Cooled Fast Breeder Reactor Preliminary Safety Information Document, Amendment 10. GCFR Residual Heat Removal System Criteria, Design, and Performance

Gas-Cooled Fast Breeder Reactor Preliminary Safety Information Document, Amendment 10. GCFR Residual Heat Removal System Criteria, Design, and Performance PDF Author:
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Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
This report presents a comprehensive set of safety design bases to support the conceptual design of the gas-cooled fast breeder reactor (GCFR) residual heat removal (RHR) systems. The report is structured to enable the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to review and comment in the licensability of these design bases. This report also presents information concerning a specific plant design and its performance as an auxiliary part to assist the NRC in evaluating the safety design bases.

Analysis of Safety-related Physics Measurements in the Initial Gas-cooled Fast Breeder Reactor Critical Experiments

Analysis of Safety-related Physics Measurements in the Initial Gas-cooled Fast Breeder Reactor Critical Experiments PDF Author:
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Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Analyses of experiments in the initial critical assemblies for the gas-cooled fast breeder reactor (GCFR) were conducted using the calculational methods at General Atomic (GA) for GCFR design. The assemblies, constructed on the ZPR-9 facility at Argonne National Laboratory, simulated features of the 300-MW(e) GCFR demonstration reactor. Studies relating to the safety of this reactor design and to the GCFR concept in general were concerned with (1) reactivity coefficients of fuel and poison materials to evaluate loading and control requirements, (2) the worth of helium coolant in a depressurization event, (3) the Doppler effect in uranium to determine power coefficients, and (4) the effect of hypothesized steam ingress into coolant channels as a potential for reactivity addition and altering core neutronic and control characteristics. Results are reported for GA analyses of such safety-related physics measurements in two basic assemblies, the 3150-liter phase I core with a coolant void fraction of 55% and the 1300-liter phase II core with a 45% void fraction.

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

Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) Decay Heat Removal Concepts PDF Author:
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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).

Development and Application of an Advanced Fuel Model for the Safety Analysis of the Generation IV Gas-cooled Fast Reactor

Development and Application of an Advanced Fuel Model for the Safety Analysis of the Generation IV Gas-cooled Fast Reactor PDF Author: Petr Petkevich
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 250

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Analysis of an Advanced Gas-cooled Fast Reactor Core Design

Analysis of an Advanced Gas-cooled Fast Reactor Core Design PDF Author: Patrick John Heher
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ISBN:
Category : Fast reactors
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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