Components of small and medium sized HLMC reactor plant circuits

Abstract

Small and medium sized lead and lead-bismuth cooled reactors currently under development in Russia are Generation IV reactors. This paper presents a review and new scientific and engineering solutions which are in line with the evolutionary development of small and medium sized reactor plants with heavy liquid metal coolants (HLMC). A growing interest in small and medium sized reactor plants for transpolar applications, as well as for regional and other NPPs, and the emerging trend towards the substitution of coal-fired boiler stations for small modular reactors initiate R&D on new designs and operational solutions for fast neutron HLMC reactor plants. Such solutions are based on unique domestic experience of building and operating ground prototype test facilities and series lead-bismuth cooled reactor plants, as well as nuclear power units for various applications. These solutions provide for improved properties of advanced HLMC reactors, primarily in economic and safety terms, as compared to other small and medium sized reactor plants. Theoretical and experimental work was undertaken at Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University (NNSTU) for justifying small and medium sized reactor plant designs with horizontal steam generators (BRS-GPG). Nonconventional scientific and engineering solutions have been considered aimed to improve the cost effectiveness and safety of HLMC NPP units, including for the localization of a potentially dangerous severe accident of the “intercircuit steam generator break” type. The review and integrated research results are presented which make it possible to justify nonconventional engineering solutions for the BRS-GPG reactor plant (reactor circuit circulation pattern, steam generator type, reactor circuit heat removal in standby and emergency modes, etc.).