Small PWR core design with coated particle based fuel with a novel composition

Abstract

Abstract A conceptual design study for a small-pressurized water reactor (PWR) core has been presented in this research paper that utilizes carbon coated fuel particles with a novel composition. The utilization of novel tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles can completely eliminate the use of soluble boron system and requirement of burnable poison if adequate number of control rods is used. Apart from the simplification of the design by excluding such as complex systems from the design, the utilization of TRISO fuel particles in PWR technology can enhance the design integrity by confining the radioactive fission products within fuel itself during reactor operation. Reactor simulation computer codes WIMS-D/4 and CITATION were used for neutronics design and RELAP5 was used for thermal hydraulic analysis. The designed core is small which has only 25 MWth power out put with more than 2 EFPY operating life. The values of Doppler, moderator and void reactivity coefficients were found negative. The Soluble Boron Free (SBF) and Burnable Poison Free (BPF) concepts are more viable in small and medium size reactors (SMRs) because it makes the plant simpler and uniform burnup can also be achieved throughout the core life.