Abstract
The hybrid Small Modular Boiling Water Reactor (SMBWR) is a new conceptual design of BWR-type SMR. The main features of SMBWR include a natural circulation loop in its coolant recirculation system and external superheaters system integrated into the steam cycle. A full core analysis of SMBWR is performed with the nodal diffusion code PANTHER using homogenised constant libraries generated by WIMS. The study compared a number of core geometry configurations and fuel management schemes to suppress excess reactivity throughout fuel depletion. Three options for SMBWR core aspect ratio using the same power density are investigated with the aim to assess the effect on the neutronic and thermal-hydraulic performance of the SMBWR. It is found that the thin and tall core configuration (192 fuel assemblies and 3.60 m) showed the least favourable performance out of the three options as it has the largest core pressure drop and thus requires taller chimney to develop natural circulation.
Highlights
In order to transition from the current energy supply towards low-carbon technology, the trade-off between sustainability, energy security and affordability has to be taken into consideration
One of the possible solutions proposed for the latter path is by developing a Small Modular Boiling Water Reactor (SMBWR) combined with external superheater [1]
It offers the possibility for the SMBWR to reduce its load only by adjusting the external heat supplied to the superheaters, operating the reactor at full power all the time and improving its economics
Summary
In order to transition from the current energy supply towards low-carbon technology, the trade-off between sustainability, energy security and affordability has to be taken into consideration. The SMBWR was designed to adopt natural circulation of coolant within the reactor vessel during normal operation. By having the external superheaters integrated into the SMBWR, the power conversion cycle efficiency of SMBWR would be improved, which means more electric power could be generated, improving the economics of the reactor. It offers the possibility for the SMBWR to reduce its load only by adjusting the external heat supplied to the superheaters, operating the reactor at full power all the time and improving its economics. By adding superheaters, the SMBWR would no longer need steam dryers, further reducing the vessel height
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